Russian Invasion European Security

EU: We are not surprised – aware of the threat

EU officials are aware of the specific Russian drone threat against Spain, France, and Italy reported by *El Mundo* today, according to the newspaper's sources.

At the Commission's daily press briefing, defense policy spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated that the reports come as no surprise.

"We know that our airspace is being tested and has been violated several times. We know that hybrid attacks are being carried out against several of our member states."

This is the reason why the EU is now significantly increasing spending and borrowing for joint drone, air, and space defense, he added.

Poland suspects Russian sabotage against Starlink

A fire broke out at a Starlink ground station in central Poland on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

The country's Deputy Prime Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, said in a statement that the incident was an act of "sabotage" and that there are strong indications it is part of hybrid warfare. He identified Russia as a possible perpetrator.

The facility, which provides internet connectivity to Ukraine among others, was able to resume operations on Thursday.

Russia has previously denied involvement in acts of sabotage in Poland.

Reports: Russia planning drone attacks on Spain, France, or Italy

Russia is planning to carry out drone attacks against Spain, France, or Italy. The US CIA has conveyed this warning to several European countries, a source close to Lithuania's Ministry of Defense told *El Mundo*. Lithuanian authorities state they have information that Russia plans to launch attacks using Gerbera drones, which measure just over two meters in length.

"They will use drones launched from the sea, concealed within a shipping container on a vessel," the source says.

Several European countries reportedly have held this information since CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s sudden trip to Moscow on August 25. This could explain why Emmanuel Macron hastily and unexpectedly convened a series of crisis meetings in mid-September.

The fact that Spain, France, and Italy specifically are being singled out is linked to the upcoming elections in these countries in 2027. All three nations have fringe parties with varying degrees of pro-Kremlin leanings that could exploit public fear to campaign against support for Ukraine.

Experts: Russia trying to intimidate Europe

Two separate warnings regarding escalating Russian aggression emerged on Thursday. The CIA warned of potential drone attacks targeting Spain, France, or Italy, while the Danish intelligence service (FE) warned of intensified hybrid warfare and a "limited" attack on a NATO country.

"I think we have to get used to the idea that this could happen. Fundamentally, this is Russia trying to intimidate us in Europe," says SVT security reporter John Granlund.

Joakim Paasikivi, an advisor at Mannheimer Swartling, shares this view. Regarding the drone alert, he points out that the fear of war is not as pronounced in Southern Europe. "France to some extent, but above all Spain, Italy, and Greece, view migration as their primary problem," he tells Svenska Dagbladet.