EU Leader Warns: Russia Conducting a 'Gray Zone' Campaign

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has warned that Russia is carrying out a 'gray zone campaign' against Europe, involving airspace violations, panic-inducing actions, and cyberattacks. She stated that these actions will escalate if countries do not resist the Kremlin, according to AP News.

In recent weeks, fighter jets have intruded into Estonia's airspace, while drones have been spotted over military bases and critical infrastructure in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Romania. Von der Leyen emphasized, 'Europe must respond. We must investigate every incident and assign responsibility, because our territory must be protected and secure.' This statement was made to EU lawmakers in Strasbourg.

She warned that if Europe does not act, the 'gray zone' will only expand further. The EU's executive body is preparing a plan that aims to enable Europe to combat such threats by 2030. The plan includes the establishment of a 'drone defense system' equipped with advanced technology capable of detecting, tracking, and destroying drones, as well as interfering with their control systems.

Von der Leyen remarked that European countries can no longer continue to respond to cheap drones by deploying expensive fighter jets, as seen during recent incursions into Polish airspace. She stressed the need for accessible and effective anti-drone systems for rapid detection, disruption, and, if necessary, neutralization, stating that Europe can learn a lot from Ukraine in this area.