Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office launched eight investigations following the 17 unexplained incidents involving drones flying over sites which included airports, nuclear power plants, and military bases.
The incidents come on the heels of drone incursions into the airspace of other NATO members which have been blamed on Russia.
Newsweek has contacted Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office for comment.
Why It Matters
Russia has been accused by NATO countries of hybrid warfare following unauthorized drone flights over critical infrastructure, which have caused flight suspensions, military alerts, and international concern.
Belgium is the latest country which has raised the alarm about these flights and its investigations will focus attention on Russia’s alleged tactics to destabilize the continent’s security.
What To Know
Belgium’s media reported that the country’s federal prosecutor’s office had opened eight investigations following 17 incidents involving drones flying over sensitive sites such as airports, nuclear power plants, and military bases.
No country was mentioned in the reports, but media had previously reported that Belgian security services are convinced that Russia is behind the spate of drone incidents, although there is no independent confirmation of Moscow’s involvement.
Incidents included five drones hovering over the Doel nuclear power station near Antwerp on November 9 and the suspension of flights due to drone sightings near air bases.
Violations of drone regulations are under the jurisdiction of local prosecutors. Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Yasmina Vanoverschelde said it was a challenge to differentiate between local rule-breaking and activity tied to foreign state actors, the Brussels Times reported.
Dozens of sightings of drones and other uncrewed aerial objects have been made near and over civilian airports, military bases, defense industry hubs, and critical infrastructure in Europe with Germany, Denmark, and Norway the most affected.
In Germany and Belgium, drones hovered around and over defense hubs and military bases, including a possible depot in Europe holding United States nuclear weapons.
ACLED’s (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) Eastern Europe Assistant Research Manager, Cristian Vlas, told Newsweek that these increasingly frequent drone overflights have highlighted the vulnerability of key defense sites in Europe and that EU member states are struggling to counter these risks due to gaps in legislation and a limited choice of means to engage relatively cheap drones.
What People Are Saying
Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Yasmina Vanoverschelde told the newspaper De Standaard: “It is still very difficult to determine whether these are local drone operators violating regulations or attempts at destabilization by a state actor.”
ACLED’s Eastern Europe Assistant Research Manager, Cristian Vlas to Newsweek: “Coupled with Russia’s openly provocative flyovers near and over NATO territory in the Baltic Sea, these suspicious overflights question Europe’s ability to deter military and hybrid activity below the threshold of triggering mutual defense clauses.”
What Happens Next
Pending the investigation into the latest incidents, Belgian authorities have requested intelligence and technical support from NATO allies over what they have deemed “hybrid” warfare. As part of this help, the U.K. will provide Belgium with equipment and personnel.