Russia’s hostile military incursions have brutally exposed Europe’s limited ability to organise its own defence.
The past few weeks have witnessed a significant increase in provocative acts undertaken by the Russian military. Last month saw Russian drones violating Polish and Romanian airspace. This was followed by Nato warplanes intercepting three MiG-31 fighter jets flying over Estonian territory.
Russia has since been blamed for operating the unidentified drones that caused the recent closure of airports in Denmark and Germany, causing massive disruption to commercial air traffic.
Various explanations have been advanced for this upsurge in Russian provocation, from Moscow seeking to test the readiness of Nato’s defensive capabilities on its eastern flank, to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire to draw attention away from the failure of his military campaign in Ukraine.
Whatever the truth behind Moscow’s more aggressive attitude towards its European neighbours, it has prompted European leaders to hold emergency talks to consider how best to improve the continent’s defences.
Russia’s hostile military incursions have brutally exposed Europe’s limited ability to organise its own defence.
The past few weeks have witnessed a significant increase in provocative acts undertaken by the Russian military. Last month saw Russian drones violating Polish and Romanian airspace. This was followed by Nato warplanes intercepting three MiG-31 fighter jets flying over Estonian territory.
Russia has since been blamed for operating the unidentified drones that caused the recent closure of airports in Denmark and Germany, causing massive disruption to commercial air traffic.
Various explanations have been advanced for this upsurge in Russian provocation, from Moscow seeking to test the readiness of Nato’s defensive capabilities on its eastern flank, to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire to draw attention away from the failure of his military campaign in Ukraine.
Whatever the truth behind Moscow’s more aggressive attitude towards its European neighbours, it has prompted European leaders to hold emergency talks to consider how best to improve the continent’s defences.