Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) incursions over EU critical infrastructure have increased recently, with the European Commission labeling them as part of the hybrid war Russia is waging against the bloc. Russia denies these accusations.
Belgium’s National Air Security Center is set to be fully operational by January 1, 2026, as stated by Francken after an emergency National Security Council meeting on Thursday. The Belgian government has requested assistance from Berlin, Paris, and London, who are sending air force experts.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius connected the drone incursions to ongoing discussions about using Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine’s defense against Moscow’s invasion. Most assets are held in Belgium’s Euroclear facility.
“This is a measure aimed at spreading insecurity, at fearmongering in Belgium: Don’t you dare to touch the frozen assets. This cannot be interpreted any other way,” Pistorius stated at a Friday press conference, reported Reuters.
Belgium’s government hasn’t explicitly accused Moscow, but the country’s secret service strongly suspects the drones’ origin. Francken said on Saturday that “Russia is clearly a plausible suspect.”
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