Russia warns of decisive response as unauthorised NATO airspace incursions linked to Moscow heighten tensions

A senior Russian official issued a stark warning of a “decisive response” to any aggression against Russia as unauthorised flights into NATO airspace have drawn renewed scrutiny and concern across northern Europe. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow has no intention of attacking Europe, but insisted that any action against Russia would be met with a forceful reply. The remarks come amid a string of incidents that have sparked alarms about Russia’s activity in airspace near NATO members and allies.

Unauthorised flights into NATO airspace have been linked to Russia in recent weeks, with several reported breaches prompting alerts from alliance members. NATO jets have downed drones over Poland, and Estonia has said Russian fighter jets flew into its airspace on occasion. Russia has denied entering Estonian airspace and has pointed to Belarusian claims that Ukrainian signal-jamming interfered with drone operations as a possible explanation for some events. Lavrov reiterated that Russia does not seek confrontation, while warning that any threat to the country would be met decisively.

In Denmark, authorities confirmed the latest wave of drone activity near military facilities, underscoring the broader security concerns surrounding northern Europe. Drones were spotted at Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment late on Friday into Saturday, according to the Danish defense ministry. There were also reports of sightings at Karup Air Base, Denmark’s largest military installation, with drones observed both inside and outside the base’s fence around 8 p.m. local time on Friday. Danish officials emphasized that the incidents are part of a pattern of unexplained drone activity that has unsettled security planners across the region.

The Danish government has signaled a tougher stance on drone incursions, with Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard saying the aim is to deter and neutralize drones. He indicated Denmark would pursue additional tools, including proposing legislation to empower infrastructure owners to shoot down drones, if needed. The episodes have fed into a broader conversation among European ministers about the best way to counter what many describe as a hybrid threat that combines cyber, information, and aerial elements to sow fear and disrupt critical infrastructure.

The Danish government has also noted discussions with its Nordic partners and EU allies about expanding counter-drone capabilities. Ahead of the upcoming European Union summit, Denmark accepted an offer from Sweden to lend a military anti-drone capability, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing what officials describe as a growing vulnerability in European airspace. European ministers are weighing the creation of a continent-wide framework or “drone wall” to counter potential incursions, even as they acknowledge that any shoot-down policy would need careful legal and military consideration.

Poland has already acted to empower its military to respond more freely to perceived threats over Ukraine, enacting fast-tracked legislation that grants greater authority to neutralize hostile objects. Warsaw has pledged to down any hostile drones over Ukrainian territory and to act swiftly to protect its own airspace and allies. The Polish stance underscores the alliance’s concern about Russia’s intentions and capabilities, even as Moscow denies aimed escalation and continues to frame itself as defending its own borders.

In Paris, Russia’s ambassador to France warned that shooting down Russian aircraft would amount to war, a stark reminder of the high-stakes calculus facing NATO and Moscow as tensions persist. The ambassador’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic exchanges in which Russia accuses NATO of waging a broader war against it, while insisting that it is defending its security interests rather than seeking confrontations in Europe.

The Kremlin has repeatedly been accused of orchestrating hybrid attacks across Europe as part of a broader campaign to destabilize regional security. Analysts cautioned that even as Moscow denies direct military plans against European NATO members, the observed activity—ranging from drone flights to ambiguous incursions near airspace boundaries—has the potential to escalate if misperceived or miscalculated. Security officials have urged vigilance and clearer rules of engagement to prevent accidental clashes or misinterpretations that could provoke a broader confrontation.

As NATO members monitor the situation, concerns about the integrity of European airspace persist. While Lavrov stressed that Russia does not seek conflict, the persistent chatter about potential responses, combined with the visible drone activity at multiple bases and the rapid policy shifts among European governments, indicates a period of heightened alert. Officials in several capitals have urged restraint and careful attribution of incidents to avoid unnecessary escalation while maintaining readiness to defend their airspace if required.

The coming weeks are expected to shape how Europe adapts to a revised security environment in which non-state and state-linked aerial activity intersects with traditional alliance protocols. Whether the series of drone sightings and reported incursions signals a sustained campaign or a temporary disruption remains a central question for policymakers seeking to balance deterrence with diplomacy, maintain open channels with Moscow, and uphold the integrity of NATO’s collective defense commitments.