The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that numerous violations of the airspace of the European Union are part of a deliberate campaign aimed at dividing Europe and weakening support for Ukraine. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she emphasized that such incidents are not coincidences, but rather indicative of a “shadow campaign” by the Russian Federation.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Increase in Defense Spending and the “Readiness 2030” Initiative
Von der Leyen reported an unprecedented surge in defense investments in the history of the EU. Under the “Readiness 2030” program, Europe plans to mobilize up to 800 billion euros for rearmament by a set deadline. The European Commission will soon present a detailed roadmap for this initiative.
Among the key projects that are to form the basis of the new program, the President of the European Commission highlighted the creation of a “drone wall” for the operational detection, interception, and neutralization of aerial threats. She stressed the need to study Ukraine’s experience both in developing such systems and in organizing ecosystems for rapid innovation.
Hybrid War and Europe’s Response
The head of the European Commission emphasized that the fight against the hybrid aggression of the Russian Federation goes beyond traditional defense. According to her, it also involves software for drones, spare parts for strategic infrastructure, rapid cyber response teams, and information campaigns to raise public awareness. She underscored that an effective response requires a rethinking of security approaches and strengthening Europe’s defense industrial capacity.
“One incident may be a mistake. Two may be a coincidence. But three, five, ten? This is a deliberate and targeted shadow campaign against Europe… Russia wants to sow discord. We respond with unity. It was the Italian pilots under NATO’s air patrol mission who accompanied Russian aircraft from the skies over Estonia. Ukrainian experts are sharing their frontline experience to help member states counter drone incursions,” von der Leyen emphasized.
She also highlighted the necessity not only to respond to the actions of the aggressor but also to take preventive measures and deterrence; otherwise, she warned, “the gray zone will only expand.” The President of the European Commission added that Europe urgently needs to secure strategic capabilities for real-time response, and this work has already begun.
In September 2025, NATO countries repeatedly recorded unprecedented violations of airspace by the Russian Federation. For instance, on the night of September 10, about 20 drones entered Polish airspace. On September 13, according to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, a Russian drone that attacked Ukraine was over Romanian territory for more than 50 minutes before returning to Ukrainian territory. On September 19, three MiG-31 fighters violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, remaining there for 12 minutes. NATO condemned these actions on September 23, stating that Russia “bears full responsibility for these escalatory actions.”
Russia denies accusations of violating the airspace of NATO countries.