Europe Faces Expanding Hybrid Threats as Drone Incursions Test NATO’s Air Defence Resilience

A series of drone incursions and airspace violations across Europe since early autumn has raised new concerns over the continent’s air defence readiness and its exposure to hybrid warfare tactics. The incidents — ranging from airspace breaches by Russian military jets to unidentified drone sightings over airports and military bases — have disrupted civilian operations and triggered coordinated responses from NATO air commands. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the pattern as a form of “hybrid warfare” aimed at “sowing division and insecurity” among European allies, noting that while not all incidents could be conclusively attributed to Moscow, their cumulative effect undermines public confidence and operational stability.