Germany, EU Face Unprecedented Russia-Linked Drone Incursions Disrupting Airports

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has attributed a recent wave of drone sightings over Germany, which caused significant travel disruptions including the grounding of flights at Munich Airport, to Russia. He described the frequency of these incursions into European airspace as unprecedented since the Cold War, noting that none of the drones appeared armed but were likely conducting reconnaissance. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya corroborated these concerns, revealing that Russian covert operatives, described as "sleeper agents," are believed to be behind similar drone activities near airports and military sites across several EU countries. These actions are viewed as part of Russia's broader hybrid warfare strategy aimed at testing European defenses and undermining public confidence in critical infrastructure. European leaders, including Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, have called for a coordinated and decisive transatlantic response to deter further escalation. The incidents highlight rising tensions and the increasing use of unmanned surveillance as a tool in geopolitical conflict involving Russia and Europe.