First comes the warning, that disembodied voice over the tannoy: 'Your attention please. Air siren in the city. Please move to the shelter on the minus second floor.' Then comes the mosquito-like whine of the incoming Russian drones, massing in their hundreds just above the clouds.
This is the grim reality of nighttime in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine. These are attack drones that explode on impact. Drones are now an integral part of modern warfare, but they are not confined to the battlefield.
Across western Europe, unarmed drones have been found buzzing around airports, military bases, and power plants, part of a suspected program of 'hybrid warfare' being waged by Russia. Speculation suggests these drones are designed to test the resilience of NATO countries that are aiding Ukraine.
Recent drone sightings in Poland, Belgium, Denmark, and other regions have sparked fear across NATO territories. Discussions are now circulating about creating a 'drone wall' to protect parts of Europe, raising questions about its necessity and viability.
On 9 September, around 20 Russian drones overshot Ukraine and flew into Poland, closing four airports and marking one of the largest breaches of NATO airspace since the conflict began. These events have intensified the conversation about the creation of a defensive drone wall.
While focusing on counter-drone measures, experts emphasize the importance of addressing the origins of the drone threats instead of solely focusing on intercepting them. This new arms race alongside the discussion of a drone wall highlights the complexities and challenges of modern security in Europe.
As the first stages of the drone wall are poised to be activated, the broader implications of escalating tensions between Russia and Europe are causing alarm and raising fundamental questions about air defense strategies going forward.
