Putin Ally Issues Dire Warning as Drone Attacks Spark Panic

A senior official in Russia has issued a stark warning to Europe, suggesting that the continent should brace itself for potential conflict following a spate of recent drone sightings near airports. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s National Security Council and a former President and Prime Minister, expressed that NATO allies should “feel what the danger of war is” in light of these incidents.

In September 2023, numerous airports across Europe, including those in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Norway, Lithuania, and Sweden, were compelled to temporarily close due to drone activity in their airspace. Notably, at least 17 flights were cancelled at Munich airport, stranding around 3,000 passengers, while an additional 15 flights were redirected to other locations.

Escalating Tensions and Blame

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suggested that Russia may be behind these drone incursions. However, Medvedev refrained from directly attributing responsibility to Moscow, instead citing various possible culprits. He mentioned that these incidents could involve Ukrainian forces, undercover agents operating on behalf of the Kremlin, European security services testing anti-drone defenses, or even independent troublemakers.

Medvedev emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The causes of this panic around ‘Russian drones’ could be any of the listed reasons or a combination of them.” He continued, “The main thing is that the short-sighted Europeans should feel on their own skin what the danger of war is. So that they fear and tremble like stupid animals in a herd being driven to the slaughter.”

In September alone, there were reports of drone-related disruptions at 14 European airports, marking the highest count in a single month. Adding to the tension, 20 Russian drones recently crossed into Polish and Romanian airspace, while Russian MiG-31 jets violated the airspace of Estonia.

Official Responses and Concerns

In a separate statement, President Vladimir Putin dismissed allegations that he ordered drone incursions into Denmark last month, jokingly stating, “I won’t do it again. I won’t do it again – not to France or Denmark or Copenhagen.” This comes amid Russia’s ongoing denials of responsibility for the escalating drone incidents.

Adding to the alarm, Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former head of MI5, recently warned that the UK is effectively “at war with Russia,” albeit in a different context. She highlighted the extensive nature of Russian espionage, cyber attacks, and covert operations, asserting that these activities represent a significant threat to national security.

As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains on high alert. The implications of these drone incursions and the rhetoric from Moscow underline the precarious state of relations between Russia and Europe. With the potential for further escalations, the situation demands close monitoring and careful diplomatic engagement to prevent any miscalculations that could lead to broader conflict.