{"id":1956041,"date":"2026-05-26T15:19:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T12:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956041"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:19:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T12:19:30","slug":"baltic-drone-incursions-test-eu-security-von-der-leyen-warns-amid-escalating-hybrid-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956041","title":{"rendered":"Baltic drone incursions test EU security, von der Leyen warns, amid escalating hybrid threats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896763-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896763\" data-cid=\"9773117\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896763-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/31\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a64f24d8-46e3-5d10-923b-5182d41536eb-9773117.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man holds a sign depicting current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896752-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896752\" data-cid=\"9773094\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896752-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896728-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896728\" data-cid=\"9773007\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/189x106_cmsv2_604364b9-a8a4-55c9-a5ee-03e1c698494a-9773007.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev holds up his trophies during an award ceremony at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Enhanced Games: Was it a triumph or a disaster?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896763-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896763\" data-cid=\"9773117\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896763-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/31\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a64f24d8-46e3-5d10-923b-5182d41536eb-9773117.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man holds a sign depicting current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896752-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896752\" data-cid=\"9773094\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896752-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/189x106_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896728-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896728\" data-cid=\"9773007\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896728-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/07\/189x106_cmsv2_604364b9-a8a4-55c9-a5ee-03e1c698494a-9773007.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev holds up his trophies during an award ceremony at the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas on 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Enhanced Games: Was it a triumph or a disaster?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Baltic drone incursions test EU security, von der Leyen warns, amid escalating hybrid threats<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/1536x864_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens during the meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens during the meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAngela Skujins\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779808770\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-26 17:19:30 +02:00\">26\/05\/2026 &#8211; 17:19 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" 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alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that recent drone incursions into EU airspace are \u201cnot isolated incidents\u201d, as Baltic leaders and EU officials warn of escalating hybrid threats engineered by Russia along Europe\u2019s eastern border.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the spate of recent drone incursions into the airspace of European Union (EU) countries over the past few weeks are &#8220;not isolated incidents,&#8221; as Baltic leaders and EU officials caution that hybrid threats along Europe\u2019s eastern border are intensifying.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;This is a deliberate strategy from Russia trying to destabilise our democratic societies,&#8221; she said, standing alongside Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian heads of state at a press conference in the Vilnius on Tuesday. &#8220;When Baltic states are being tested, Europe as a whole is being tested,&#8221; she said. <\/p>\n<p>The EU chief was in the Baltic region to reaffirm the bloc&#8217;s support for the trio of countries as they have been repeatedly impacted by incursions in recent weeks, with at least six recorded since the beginning of May. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is the reality on Europe&#8217;s eastern border in 2026,&#8221; von der Leyen said, adding, &#8220;Today it&#8217;s here, tomorrow it will be elsewhere along the eastern border.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Speaking alongside the European Commission president at the press conference, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da conceded the skies above the Baltic states &#8220;are not sufficiently secure&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>The Estonian President, Alar Karis, said these airspace violations and other hybrid threats aim to intimidate Europe \u2013 but the response must be calm, coordinated and &#8220;firm&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>The President of Latvia, Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds, took a different tone, stating these hybrid attempts are clear: &#8220;Russia is failing&#8221; on the battlefield with Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h2>What happened?<\/h2>\n<p>One incident in Latvia \u2013 and the government\u2019s failure to respond \u2013 resulted in the resignation of prime minister Evika Sili\u0146a and defence minister Andris Spr\u016bds. <\/p>\n<p>Another, in the fragile skies above Finland&#8217;s capital of Helsinki, resulted in the interior ministry updating public guidance. Citizens are now advised to go indoors, move to a room with solid walls in the centre of a building and wait for further instructions. <\/p>\n<p>A major incident in Lithuania last week sent the country&#8217;s president and prime minister underground to bunkers, while officials above ground attempted to gain a better understanding of the suspected incursion close to the country&#8217;s border with Belarus. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_441857c3-f4c4-54ee-8160-e2ea5f5ab7a4-9769114.jpg\" alt=\"Romanian Air Force F-16 military fighter jets escort a C-27J Spartan aircraft during a NATO Air Policing exercise above eastern Romania, on 6 March, 2024. \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Romanian Air Force F-16 military fighter jets escort a C-27J Spartan aircraft during a NATO Air Policing exercise above eastern Romania, on 6 March, 2024. <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Romanian F-16 fighter jets also intercepted a Ukrainian drone over Estonian airspace last week. Following the incursion, Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesperson for Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry, said: \u201cWe apologise to Estonia and all of our Baltic friends for such unintended incidents.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether Bucharest was put in an uncomfortable situation by shooting down the aircraft of one of its allies, Romania\u2019s Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia \u021aoiu told Euronews on Tuesday that Russia is responsible for the incident of GPS jamming. She also added that many prior drone incursions have originated from Moscow \u2013 with some designed to be deadly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn two instances they were drones carrying explosives,\u201d \u021aoiu said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is totally unacceptable and that is why in coordination with the Baltic states and the rest of the eastern flank we are summoning ambassadors to convey that this is a limit that should be crossed either in the Baltics, in Romania, or anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Bucharest official said it would be \u201cunrealistic\u201d to assume there is no risk, noting, \u201cWe\u2019re bordering a war,\u201d in reference to Romania\u2019s 600-kilometre border with Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Undermining support<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The incident in Lithuania last week marked the first time a European Union or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member state ordered civilians to seek shelter because of a suspected drone incursion.<\/p>\n<p>The Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas  previously confirmed to Euronews that the right precautions were taken and the immediate &#8220;panic&#8221; dissipated. But what remains are questions about how and whether Europe can stay ahead of Moscow&#8217;s manoeuvres \u2013 particularly if the drones are Ukrainian in origin \u2013 and whether this undermines support for the war-torn country.<\/p>\n<p>One Lithuanian, a 24-year-old called Viktoria living in the capital, said she tries not to think about the drone incursions. \u201cIt really stresses me out,\u201d she told Euronews. However, she does admit she sometimes daydreams about moving to a country with a less fraught relationship with Russia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.666\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_701226e3-63ab-584d-96d7-95fccca10827-9769114.jpg\" alt=\"People take shelter in an underground car park during an air raid alert in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, 20 May, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">People take shelter in an underground car park during an air raid alert in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, 20 May, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lithuania, alongside Estonia and Latvia, continues to live with the legacy of Soviet occupation: a period many in the region view as decades of annexation and repression. According to Ondrej Ditrych, a political analyst at the EU\u2019s Institute for Security Studies (ISS), this permeating anxiety is part of Moscow\u2019s strategy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a component of mental or psychological warfare from Russia, of intentionally redirecting the Ukrainian drones, basically hijacking them, to spook the European population to sort of create a more immediate experience of the risk of war, and of course also undermining the support for Ukraine,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Efforts to erode European backing for Kyiv, whether by weakening sanctions or reducing military and financial aid, have so far failed. Romania\u2019s top diplomat \u021aoiu said the bloc\u2019s 20 sanction packages have put pressure on Moscow\u2019s war machine, and despite there being no breakthrough resulting in long-term peace, \u201cWe haven&#8217;t seen Russia win the war either.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Lies and disinformation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Aside from drone warfare, various Baltic leaders have accused Russia of spreading disinformation. Russia\u2019s Ministry of Defence last week claimed Ukraine was planning \u201cterrorist strikes\u201d into its regions using Latvia and other Baltic states as launchpads.<\/p>\n<p>Latvia&#8217;s President Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds has repeatedly refuted the idea, referring to it as &#8220;lies&#8221;. On Tuesday he reiterated this: &#8220;I think that it is very important that we are prepared for further disinformation campaigns or further provocations, maybe also acts of sabotage,&#8221; Rink\u0113vi\u010ds said. <\/p>\n<p>NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has similarly described the campaign as \u201cabsolutely ridiculous, and Russia knows it.\u201d Rutte also commended the alliance\u2019s reaction to the drone incursions, saying they had been met with \u201ca calm, decisive and proportionate response&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Ditrych said Russia was weaponizing uncertainty and chaos on both the drone and disinformation fronts, and Europe must shore-up its air defence systems and better promote civilian preparedness. &#8220;Hybrid threats cannot be accepted as a new normal,&#8221; the EU&#8217;s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned in Germany last November.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We must work together systematically to counter hybrid threats and restore deterrence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>An EU response<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The European Commission has earmarked \u20ac800 billion for defence-related spending as part of its plan to rearm Europe by 2030. According to the EU\u2019s top official, this reflects the view that \u201cthe era of the peace dividend is long gone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A large envelope of the cash will be used to fund defence projects along Europe eastern flank, such as the drone wall, set to be operational by the end of 2027. This is billed to include anti-drone defences such as 5G antennas as radars and AI-guided interceptors.<\/p>\n<p>On top of this, EU member states have been able to apply for a defence loan as part of the bloc&#8217;s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. The Baltics will receive a cumulative \u20ac12 billion as part of the initiative, with the aim of boosting cross-border military infrastructure and stronger support for land forces, among other features.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/808x539_cmsv2_9223aed7-ac1f-5491-88f3-0aa683686092-9769114.jpg\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukraine&#8217;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that one way to address capability gaps she described as \u201cvulnerable\u201d along Europe\u2019s eastern border is through closer cooperation with NATO.<\/p>\n<p>The aim is to assess \u201ccounter-drone and early warning systems across the region, so that we can identify critical gaps together and then accelerate support where it is most needed and fill these gaps,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a significant amount of work to do when it comes to mitigating hybrid warfare, von der Leyen stressed.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>&#8216;New forms&#8217; of pressure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>At the beginning of May, when the drone incidents first shook the Baltic states, European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius said that as Russia applies \u201cnew forms\u201d of pressure on countries along NATO\u2019s eastern flank, its efforts are weakening on the battlefield.<\/p>\n<p>The purpose of this, he said, is to \u201cfrighten\u201d people in the region and weaken support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>An EU diplomat speaking to Euronews on condition of anonymity, echoed this view, saying that these hybrid warfare attempts reflect Russia\u2019s setbacks elsewhere. They added that such incidents, particularly drone incursions, are likely to continue as Moscow struggles on other fronts.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Russia is becoming more desperate, and to some extent Russia is also becoming more dangerous,&#8221; Rink\u0113vi\u010ds said. <\/p>\n<p>Naus\u0117da said that cable-cuts, arson attempts, drone incursion and disinformation campaigns all form a part of Moscow&#8217;s psychological warfare playbook. &#8220;They aim to sow fear, destabilise our societies, and test the resolve of Europe and NATO,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We appreciate the clear message of solidarity that the European Commission has sent to the Baltic states. However, words of solidarity alone are no longer enough. Europe must take swift and concrete action.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Russia launches nearly 300 drones at Ukraine as 528 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers are returned<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU now &#8216;more assertive&#8217; in protecting candidate countries from foreign interference, Kos says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Poland charges suspect over parcel bomb plot amid Russia sabotage fears<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  russian army<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Baltic countries<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Drones<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img 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data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896661-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896661\" data-cid=\"9772683\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896661-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/26\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_6176cdec-916c-56a2-b1ac-94082746346e-9772683.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rescue workers on the scene of a crash between a train and vehicle in Buggenhout, 26 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Four dead and two injured after train hits school bus in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895702-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895702\" data-cid=\"9771279\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish tourists flock to Greece as rising costs put Greeks off Turkey<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895789-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895789\" data-cid=\"9769066\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do households save most of their income?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896462-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896462\" data-cid=\"9771735\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Two suspected Ebola cases detected in Italy test negative<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896661-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896661\" data-cid=\"9772683\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Four dead and two injured after train hits school bus in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896428-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896428\" data-cid=\"9771560\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These are the best countries to move to around the world<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the spate of recent drone incursions into the airspace of European Union (EU) countries over the past few weeks are &#8220;not isolated incidents,&#8221; as Baltic leaders and EU officials caution that hybrid threats along Europe\u2019s eastern border are intensifying.&#8221;This is a deliberate strategy from Russia trying to destabilise our democratic societies,&#8221; she said, standing alongside Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian heads of state at a press conference in the Vilnius on Tuesday. &#8220;When Baltic states are being tested, Europe as a whole is being tested,&#8221; she said.The EU chief was in the Baltic region to reaffirm the bloc&#8217;s support for the trio of countries as they have been repeatedly impacted by incursions in recent weeks, with at least six recorded since the beginning of May.&#8221;This is the reality on Europe&#8217;s eastern border in 2026,&#8221; von der Leyen said, adding, &#8220;Today it&#8217;s here, tomorrow it will be elsewhere along the eastern border.&#8221;Speaking alongside the European Commission president at the press conference, Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da conceded the skies above the Baltic states &#8220;are not sufficiently secure&#8221;.The Estonian President, Alar Karis, said these airspace violations and other hybrid threats aim to intimidate Europe \u2013 but the response must be calm, coordinated and &#8220;firm&#8221;.The President of Latvia, Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds, took a different tone, stating these hybrid attempts are clear: &#8220;Russia is failing&#8221; on the battlefield with Ukraine.What happened?One incident in Latvia \u2013 and the government\u2019s failure to respond \u2013 resulted in the resignation of prime minister Evika Sili\u0146a and defence minister Andris Spr\u016bds.Another, in the fragile skies above Finland&#8217;s capital of Helsinki, resulted in the interior ministry updating public guidance. Citizens are now advised to go indoors, move to a room with solid walls in the centre of a building and wait for further instructions.A major incident in Lithuania last week sent the country&#8217;s president and prime minister underground to bunkers, while officials above ground attempted to gain a better understanding of the suspected incursion close to the country&#8217;s border with Belarus.Romanian F-16 fighter jets also intercepted a Ukrainian drone over Estonian airspace last week. Following the incursion, Heorhii Tykhyi, the spokesperson for Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry, said: \u201cWe apologise to Estonia and all of our Baltic friends for such unintended incidents.&#8221;Asked whether Bucharest was put in an uncomfortable situation by shooting down the aircraft of one of its allies, Romania\u2019s Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia \u021aoiu told Euronews on Tuesday that Russia is responsible for the incident of GPS jamming. She also added that many prior drone incursions have originated from Moscow \u2013 with some designed to be deadly.\u201cIn two instances they were drones carrying explosives,\u201d \u021aoiu said.\u201cIt is totally unacceptable and that is why in coordination with the Baltic states and the rest of the eastern flank we are summoning ambassadors to convey that this is a limit that should be crossed either in the Baltics, in Romania, or anywhere else.\u201dThe Bucharest official said it would be \u201cunrealistic\u201d to assume there is no risk, noting, \u201cWe\u2019re bordering a war,\u201d in reference to Romania\u2019s 600-kilometre border with Ukraine.Undermining supportThe incident in Lithuania last week marked the first time a European Union or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member state ordered civilians to seek shelter because of a suspected drone incursion.The Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas previously confirmed to Euronews that the right precautions were taken and the immediate &#8220;panic&#8221; dissipated. But what remains are questions about how and whether Europe can stay ahead of Moscow&#8217;s manoeuvres \u2013 particularly if the drones are Ukrainian in origin \u2013 and whether this undermines support for the war-torn country.One Lithuanian, a 24-year-old called Viktoria living in the capital, said she tries not to think about the drone incursions. \u201cIt really stresses me out,\u201d she told Euronews. However, she does admit she sometimes daydreams about moving to a country with a less fraught relationship with Russia.Lithuania, alongside Estonia and Latvia, continues to live with the legacy of Soviet occupation: a period many in the region view as decades of annexation and repression. According to Ondrej Ditrych, a political analyst at the EU\u2019s Institute for Security Studies (ISS), this permeating anxiety is part of Moscow\u2019s strategy.\u201cThere is a component of mental or psychological warfare from Russia, of intentionally redirecting the Ukrainian drones, basically hijacking them, to spook the European population to sort of create a more immediate experience of the risk of war, and of course also undermining the support for Ukraine,&#8221; he said.Efforts to erode European backing for Kyiv, whether by weakening sanctions or reducing military and financial aid, have so far failed. Romania\u2019s top diplomat \u021aoiu said the bloc\u2019s 20 sanction packages have put pressure on Moscow\u2019s war machine, and despite there being no breakthrough resulting in long-term peace, \u201cWe haven&#8217;t seen Russia win the war either.\u201dLies and disinformationAside from drone warfare, various Baltic leaders have accused Russia of spreading disinformation. Russia\u2019s Ministry of Defence last week claimed Ukraine was planning \u201cterrorist strikes\u201d into its regions using Latvia and other Baltic states as launchpads.Latvia&#8217;s President Edgars Rink\u0113vi\u010ds has repeatedly refuted the idea, referring to it as &#8220;lies&#8221;. On Tuesday he reiterated this: &#8220;I think that it is very important that we are prepared for further disinformation campaigns or further provocations, maybe also acts of sabotage,&#8221; Rink\u0113vi\u010ds said.NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has similarly described the campaign as \u201cabsolutely ridiculous, and Russia knows it.\u201d Rutte also commended the alliance\u2019s reaction to the drone incursions, saying they had been met with \u201ca calm, decisive and proportionate response&#8221;.Ditrych said Russia was weaponizing uncertainty and chaos on both the drone and disinformation fronts, and Europe must shore-up its air defence systems and better promote civilian preparedness. &#8220;Hybrid threats cannot be accepted as a new normal,&#8221; the EU&#8217;s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned in Germany last November.&#8221;We must work together systematically to counter hybrid threats and restore deterrence.&#8221;An EU responseThe European Commission has earmarked \u20ac800 billion for defence-related spending as part of its plan to rearm Europe by 2030. According to the EU\u2019s top official, this reflects the view that \u201cthe era of the peace dividend is long gone.\u201dA large envelope of the cash will be used to fund defence projects along Europe eastern flank, such as the drone wall, set to be operational by the end of 2027. This is billed to include anti-drone defences such as 5G antennas as radars and AI-guided interceptors.On top of this, EU member states have been able to apply for a defence loan as part of the bloc&#8217;s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. The Baltics will receive a cumulative \u20ac12 billion as part of the initiative, with the aim of boosting cross-border military infrastructure and stronger support for land forces, among other features.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that one way to address capability gaps she described as \u201cvulnerable\u201d along Europe\u2019s eastern border is through closer cooperation with NATO.The aim is to assess \u201ccounter-drone and early warning systems across the region, so that we can identify critical gaps together and then accelerate support where it is most needed and fill these gaps,\u201d she said.There is also a significant amount of work to do when it comes to mitigating hybrid warfare, von der Leyen stressed.&#8217;New forms&#8217; of pressureAt the beginning of May, when the drone incidents first shook the Baltic states, European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius said that as Russia applies \u201cnew forms\u201d of pressure on countries along NATO\u2019s eastern flank, its efforts are weakening on the battlefield.The purpose of this, he said, is to \u201cfrighten\u201d people in the region and weaken support for Ukraine.An EU diplomat speaking to Euronews on condition of anonymity, echoed this view, saying that these hybrid warfare attempts reflect Russia\u2019s setbacks elsewhere. They added that such incidents, particularly drone incursions, are likely to continue as Moscow struggles on other fronts.&#8221;Russia is becoming more desperate, and to some extent Russia is also becoming more dangerous,&#8221; Rink\u0113vi\u010ds said.Naus\u0117da said that cable-cuts, arson attempts, drone incursion and disinformation campaigns all form a part of Moscow&#8217;s psychological warfare playbook. &#8220;They aim to sow fear, destabilise our societies, and test the resolve of Europe and NATO,&#8221; he said.&#8221;We appreciate the clear message of solidarity that the European Commission has sent to the Baltic states. However, words of solidarity alone are no longer enough. Europe must take swift and concrete action.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/26\/baltic-drone-incursions-test-eu-security-von-der-leyen-warns-amid-escalating-hybrid-threat&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg&#8221;] Iran Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region Europe News Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China Health news Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025? Health news The Enhanced Games: Was it a triumph or a disaster? Iran [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1956041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1956041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956041\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1956041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1956041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1956041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}