Belgian authorities closed the airspace over Brussels Zaventem Airport after a drone appeared above the airfield on Tuesday night. The national broadcaster VRT reported that all flights were halted as officials investigated the sighting.
Flights briefly resumed before another drone reappeared, forcing a second shutdown. Liège Airport, which initially received redirected flights from Brussels, also suspended operations after a separate drone sighting.
A spokesperson for skeyes, Belgium’s air traffic control agency, confirmed that the first drone appeared around 8 p.m. local time. Flights were then diverted to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South.
NATO and EU Heighten Military Readiness
Both NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after a series of suspected Russian airspace violations. The recent incidents, involving drones and fighter jets, have raised fears of escalating tensions across Europe.
NATO warned Moscow at the end of September that it would defend against any future incursions “by all available means.” The statement followed Russian drones being shot down over Poland and a separate violation reported by Estonia.
The 10 September event in Poland marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Estonia also accused three Russian MiG-31 jets of entering its airspace for 12 minutes, a claim Moscow denied.
Europe Responds to Rising Russian Provocations
The latest airspace breaches alarmed European leaders, who questioned the alliance’s readiness to respond to potential Russian aggression. In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the creation of the Eastern Sentry programme to deter future violations and support Poland.
“We see drones violating our skies,” Rutte said. “Intentional or not, it is unacceptable. Our allies stand fully with Poland. We must confront aggression and defend every NATO member.”
European defense officials continue to monitor the situation closely as tensions over Russian air activity intensify, turning Europe’s skies into the newest front in a growing geopolitical standoff.
