"It will be a dark winter for Europe": Belgium predicts increase in Russian hybrid attacks

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has said at a defence and space summit that the number of hybrid threats is set to increase and that the EU therefore needs to strengthen its air defence, including with the help of Ukrainian technologies.

Source: European Pravda, citing Euronews

Details: Francken stressed that Russia poses the greatest threat to Belgium. He said the Kremlin is preparing more hybrid attacks against European countries in the coming months.

Quote: "There will be more hybrid threat actions in the next few months. It will be a dark winter for Europe."

Details: In this context, Francken called for stronger air defence in Europe, including through the use of Ukrainian technologies.

He said Europe, Belgium and NATO need access to Ukrainian technologies as quickly as possible to counter drones flying at speeds of 600 km/h.

Francken announced that he will meet with Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Serhii Boiev to discuss the issue.

"We need to have more stocks, more production, scale up production, and a large industrial base. Everything has to go faster," the Belgian defence minister added.

Background:

• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Monday 28 September that drone incursions into Alliance territory demonstrate the evolving nature of the threat.
• On 28 September, EU defence ministers in Brussels discussed for the first time a new emergency security protocol setting out actions and responses to hybrid threats from Russia, including sabotage, airspace violations and arson attacks.
• On 11 September, the inaugural meeting of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance took place in Brussels, bringing together nine Ukrainian and nine European companies.

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