Europe Boosts Defenses After Russian Drone Incursions

European leaders say Russia is waging a hybrid campaign — through drone incursions, airspace violations, sabotage and cyberattacks — that has closed airports and military bases and is testing Western unity, prompting emergency summits and reinforcements to Denmark and the Baltics. Denmark’s prime minister warned Europe faces its most dangerous moment since World War II and called for rapid rearmament and measures such as a “drone wall”; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe is “no longer at peace,” and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called Russia NATO’s greatest and most immediate threat. NATO and EU discussions have turned to collective early-warning and anti-drone systems, pooled procurement, possible legal changes to allow military support to police for downing threats, and higher defence spending to deter aggression while avoiding uncontrolled escalation. Germany has opened a Permanent Logistics Support Area in Lithuania and plans to station about 2,000 troops there by mid-2026 and field a combat-ready brigade by 2027 as part of boosted forward deployments and logistics support. Members have sent ships, aircraft and air-defence systems to Denmark as displays of solidarity, but EU states still struggle to coordinate long-term procurement and common defence capabilities, leaving gaps Moscow may seek to exploit. Officials and commentators are urging sustained deterrence, replenishment of stocks for Ukraine, and prudence to protect democracy and secure a lasting peace.