More drone incursions: how should Europe respond?
After the incursion of Russian drones in Polish airspace last Wednesday, further incidents on Nato's external border are heightening tensions between Moscow and the Western military alliance. The Polish army has shot down a drone over Warsaw and another drone entered Romania's airspace on Saturday. Russia has denied responsibility for the incidents. European commentators are nevertheless alarmed.
A cynical lack of empathy
Hotnews criticises Romania's inaction as cynical:
“The relieved reaction of the defence minister, who told us that the drone that flew over Romania was not shot down because it was supposed to wreak havoc elsewhere and not here, raises a few questions. Should we as Romanians be relieved because the flying device loaded with explosives flew on to kill Ukrainians? ... What if the target had been ethnic Romanians living in Budjak [in Bessarabia in southern Ukraine]? Would we not be bothered by it then? After all, we're always very emotional in our political statements when it comes to Romanians in Ukraine.”
Time for experiments
Europe needs to adapt and try out new ideas, La Libre Belgique urges:
“The Ukrainians are experimenting. Acoustic sensor networks, lightweight batteries, interceptor drones forming a 'protective wall': inventive solutions exist, and some can be implemented for the price of a single Patriot missile. Europe has no excuses: it's time to finally learn, invest, invent, innovate and share. ... If we don't adapt our military software to the fear stirred up by the Russians, their drones will continue to chip away at our certainties until this fear overcomes our willingness to defend our borders. ... The time for cautious statements is over. For Europe the time has come to act – quickly, creatively and decisively.”
Provocations putting us on alert
Neatkarīgā comments:
“It can be argued that Putin's provocations will only serve to strengthen Nato's combat capabilities. ... Every such provocation reveals our own weaknesses and gives us the opportunity to eliminate them before they hit home and be better prepared in case of an emergency. ... One of the basic principles of the art of war is sudden attack. The more unexpected the attack, and the less prepared the opponent is, the greater the chances of success. Russian provocations are forcing Europe, however timid and sleepy it may be, to prepare for war. This gives us hope that Putin will weigh up the pros and cons, make the right decision and refrain from direct confrontation with Nato.”