{"id":2125382,"date":"2026-09-02T12:12:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T09:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125382"},"modified":"2026-09-02T12:12:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T09:12:06","slug":"von-der-leyen-russian-drone-incidents-in-europe-are-the-new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125382","title":{"rendered":"Von der Leyen: Russian drone incidents in Europe are the &#8216;new normal&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/1200x675_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922601-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922601\" data-cid=\"9899208\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922601-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\/89\/89\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_93854016-421e-5d89-9af6-07df6b4e0f3a-9898954.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles III of England with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the British Museum in London, 2 September 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>    Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-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\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" 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>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-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\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" 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>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922524-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922524\" data-cid=\"9898543\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922524-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\/89\/85\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in The Ring\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922601-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922601\" data-cid=\"9899208\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922601-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\/89\/89\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_93854016-421e-5d89-9af6-07df6b4e0f3a-9898954.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles III of England with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the British Museum in London, 2 September 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>    Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-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\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" 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>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-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\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" 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>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922524-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922524\" data-cid=\"9898543\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922524-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\/89\/85\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in The Ring\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                            Von der Leyen: Russian drone incidents in Europe are the &#8216;new normal&#8217;<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" 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\/89\/83\/87\/1536x864_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 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              NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deliver press statement in Brussels, Belgium 2 September 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\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP\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&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspSasha Vakulina\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788351126\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-02 14:12:06 +02:00\">02\/09\/2026 &#8211; 14:12 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"14:16\">14:16<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span 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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 class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must prepare for a \u201cnew era of European security\u201d after Russia was blamed for a drone sabotage incident last month. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Alliance must have the capabilities it needs to address such threats.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that incidents such as last month\u2019s Russian drone sabotage in Germany had become the \u201cnew normal\u201d, marking a further escalation of Russian activity on European Union soil.<\/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;Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia, but it is part of a broader pattern of increasingly dangerous incidents,&#8221; she said, alongside NATO&#8217;s Secretary-General Mark Rutte at a press conference in Brussels. <\/p>\n<p>If the attack had succeeded, &#8220;this would have resulted in enormous damage, and possibly even loss of life.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Europeans are faced with a hard truth, that this is the new normal,&#8221; she said, adding that the EU should respond to Russia&#8217;s &#8220;recklessness, faster and better.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Von der Leyen said Europe already had &#8220;rapid response teams&#8221; able to respond to those attacks and was ready to add more sanctions to the existing package against Russia. Foreign ministers met in Ireland to discuss the proposed additional listings.<\/p>\n<p>Von der Leyen added that Europeans must treat everyday infrastructure as frontline targets and protect them accordingly. &#8220;We are in a new era of European security,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Rutte echoed von der Leyen\u2019s remarks, saying Russia had become \u201cincreasingly reckless\u201d as it continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the threat now extending to European and NATO territory. \u201cThe danger Russia poses is clear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added that if Russia believes that Europe and NATO would be divided or deterred from supporting Ukraine amid this recent threat, they are mistaken. &#8220;Our unity is unshaken,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The duo met in the Belgian capital a day after the German government formally blamed Russia for an explosive-laden drone discovered at an airport in the country\u2019s east in early August. The Kremlin has denied the accusations.<\/p>\n<p>Russia&#8217;s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has accused Berlin of choosing a \u201cpath of escalation\u201d, Kremlin-affiliated outlets reported on Wednesday. He also turned on European leaders, blaming them of sponsoring what he called Ukrainian \u201cterrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n<h3>The German announcement<\/h3>\n<p>Germany&#8217;s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Tuesday that the &#8220;means to carry out the act&#8221; of the drone sabotage incident on 4 August is &#8220;known to use from other hybrid operations conducted by Russia and its war against Ukraine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The German government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>German Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul said alongside Dobrindt on Tuesday that Russia\u2019s actions form part of a \u201clong series of attempts at destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression directed at Europe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\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\/89\/83\/87\/808x454_cmsv2_c490b7e0-e72d-56b5-aeca-d602077a7a66-9898387.jpg\" alt=\"German police officers at Leipzig\/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany on 7 August 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">German police officers at Leipzig\/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany on 7 August 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Following the investigation, Germany ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, and has terminated the agreement for the Russian House in Berlin to operate. The Kremlin vowed it would respond to these measures. <\/p>\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and that Kyiv stands ready to help, &#8220;with expertise, experience, or in other areas where Germany may need.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is yet another Russian escalation, and it is important that Germany responded,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h3>&#8216;State sponsored terrorism&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p>Meanwhile, the EU\u2019s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the drone sabotage incident in Leipzig has \u201call the hallmarks of state sponsored terrorism\u201d while attributing it to Russia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe question is what do we do about this?\u201d she said, on Wednesday on her way into a foreign affairs meeting in Wicklow, Ireland. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have already summoned Russian ambassadors, so have also many member states, and we will discuss what more can we do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In response to the incident, the EU and Belgium summoned Russia&#8217;s ambassador in Brussels. France summoned the Russian charg\u00e9 d&#8217;affaires while Netherlands summoned a Russian diplomatic representative.<\/p>\n<p>Kallas highlighted 1,600 individuals and entities propping up Russia\u2019s military complex have been added to a proposed list of new EU sanctions, &#8220;and maybe there are more&#8221;, she said. <\/p>\n<p>The measures predominantly target Moscow for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She stressed, however, that nothing would be confirmed on Wednesday as the foreign affairs meeting is informal.<\/p>\n<p>The 21st package of sanctions against Russia adopted late July targeted a range of individuals and entities involved in the country&#8217;s military industries, such as producers of long-range drones, like the Garpiya model. <\/p>\n<p>It comes as EU ambassadors in Brussels mull whether to add 27 Russian individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children on the bloc&#8217;s sanctions list.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/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 behind attempted drone &#8216;attack&#8217; at Leipzig airport, Berlin says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Polish prosecutors launch terrorism investigation following fire at drone maker&#8217;s factory<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Two drones spottled flying over military base in the western part of the country, German armed forces say<\/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  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Germany<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Europe<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  NATO<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 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Maxime Pr\u00e9vot.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium pushes back against new attempt to use Russian assets<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922572-pos4-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=\"2922572\" data-cid=\"9898725\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922572-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/87\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_214c706e-6f5b-58bc-8500-13eedc2d66c6-9898725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Aeroflot&apos;s passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine formally warns airlines that Russian airspace is unsafe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922552-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\/89\/86\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_d64dbf35-a4c3-5571-a655-403afea1acd9-9898630.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"250 gram gold bars of 999.9 purity stacked in the safe deposit boxes room in Munich, 25 April, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922524-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=\"2922524\" data-cid=\"9898543\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922524-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\/89\/85\/43\/320x180_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in The Ring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921916-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=\"2921916\" data-cid=\"9895601\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Death of Germany&#8217;s richest man creates a giant charitable foundation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922302-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922302\" data-cid=\"9897551\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thailand confirms it will cut visa-free stays for EU travellers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922552-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922552\" data-cid=\"9898630\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US and Canada to UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922307-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922307\" data-cid=\"9897687\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ryanair&#8217;s Boeing 737 stairs tied to hundreds of passenger falls, study says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922364-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922364\" data-cid=\"9897774\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy warns \u2018Russian airspace will effectively be closing\u2019<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that incidents such as last month\u2019s Russian drone sabotage in Germany had become the \u201cnew normal\u201d, marking a further escalation of Russian activity on European Union soil.&#8221;Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia, but it is part of a broader pattern of increasingly dangerous incidents,&#8221; she said, alongside NATO&#8217;s Secretary-General Mark Rutte at a press conference in Brussels.If the attack had succeeded, &#8220;this would have resulted in enormous damage, and possibly even loss of life.&#8221;&#8221;Europeans are faced with a hard truth, that this is the new normal,&#8221; she said, adding that the EU should respond to Russia&#8217;s &#8220;recklessness, faster and better.&#8221;Von der Leyen said Europe already had &#8220;rapid response teams&#8221; able to respond to those attacks and was ready to add more sanctions to the existing package against Russia. Foreign ministers met in Ireland to discuss the proposed additional listings.Von der Leyen added that Europeans must treat everyday infrastructure as frontline targets and protect them accordingly. &#8220;We are in a new era of European security,&#8221; she said.Rutte echoed von der Leyen\u2019s remarks, saying Russia had become \u201cincreasingly reckless\u201d as it continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the threat now extending to European and NATO territory. \u201cThe danger Russia poses is clear,\u201d he said.He added that if Russia believes that Europe and NATO would be divided or deterred from supporting Ukraine amid this recent threat, they are mistaken. &#8220;Our unity is unshaken,&#8221; he said.The duo met in the Belgian capital a day after the German government formally blamed Russia for an explosive-laden drone discovered at an airport in the country\u2019s east in early August. The Kremlin has denied the accusations.Russia&#8217;s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has accused Berlin of choosing a \u201cpath of escalation\u201d, Kremlin-affiliated outlets reported on Wednesday. He also turned on European leaders, blaming them of sponsoring what he called Ukrainian \u201cterrorism\u201d.The German announcementGermany&#8217;s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt\u00a0announced\u00a0on Tuesday that the &#8220;means to carry out the act&#8221; of the drone sabotage incident on 4 August is &#8220;known to use from other hybrid operations conducted by Russia and its war against Ukraine.&#8221;&#8221;The German government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August,&#8221; he said.German Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul said alongside Dobrindt on Tuesday that Russia\u2019s actions form part of a \u201clong series of attempts at destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression directed at Europe.&#8221;Following the investigation, Germany ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, and has terminated the agreement for the Russian House in Berlin to operate. The Kremlin vowed it would respond to these measures.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and that Kyiv stands ready to help, &#8220;with expertise, experience, or in other areas where Germany may need.&#8221;&#8221;This is yet another Russian escalation, and it is important that Germany responded,&#8221; he said.&#8217;State sponsored terrorism&#8217;Meanwhile, the EU\u2019s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the drone sabotage incident in Leipzig has \u201call the hallmarks of state sponsored terrorism\u201d while attributing it to Russia.\u201cThe question is what do we do about this?\u201d she said, on Wednesday on her way into a foreign affairs meeting in Wicklow, Ireland.\u201cWe have already summoned Russian ambassadors, so have also many member states, and we will discuss what more can we do.\u201dIn response to the incident, the EU and Belgium summoned Russia&#8217;s ambassador in Brussels. France summoned the Russian charg\u00e9 d&#8217;affaires while Netherlands summoned a Russian diplomatic representative.Kallas highlighted 1,600 individuals and entities propping up Russia\u2019s military complex have been added to a proposed list of new EU sanctions, &#8220;and maybe there are more&#8221;, she said.The measures predominantly target Moscow for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She stressed, however, that nothing would be confirmed on Wednesday as the foreign affairs meeting is informal.The 21st package of sanctions against Russia adopted late July targeted a range of individuals and entities involved in the country&#8217;s military industries, such as producers of long-range drones, like the Garpiya model.It comes as EU ambassadors in Brussels mull whether to add 27 Russian individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children on the bloc&#8217;s sanctions list.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/02\/von-der-leyen-russian-drone-incidents-in-europe-are-the-new-normal&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/83\/87\/1200x675_cmsv2_6fb03c82-dc10-5a3e-825c-70acfbc68290-9898387.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Macron, King Charles hail UK-France ties at Bayeux Tapestry exhibit Europe News Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case Europe News Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta The Ring The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in [&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-2125382","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\/2125382","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=2125382"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125382\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2125382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2125382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2125382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}