EU Plans Drone Wall, Strengthens Eastern Defense Against Russian Incursions

European leaders are intensifying efforts to bolster the continent's defense in response to increased Russian incursions into NATO airspace, focusing on urgent areas like air- and missile defense and drone threats. The European Commission has proposed initiatives such as the 'European drone wall' and the 'eastern flank watch' to strengthen defenses against hybrid attacks, including ground, maritime, and space-based elements, with funding potentially sourced from the EU's SAFE loan fund. NATO is expanding aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea region while balancing the risk of escalation, as some countries like Poland advocate for more aggressive measures against unauthorized aircraft, raising concerns over potential confrontations with Russia. France, Germany, and Sweden have deployed military personnel and anti-drone systems to Denmark following drone incursions causing airport closures, while Denmark has imposed a temporary civilian drone ban. German officials emphasize the need for closer European defense cooperation and faster, integrated responses to new hybrid threats, highlighting the pattern of Russian provocations targeting critical infrastructure across multiple NATO states. The broad consensus among European and NATO leaders underscores vigilance and unified action to protect alliance territory and deter further aggression.