Russia’s provocations against the West are expected to intensify, said European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius during a speech in Riga. According to him, European countries are already facing a growing number of drone attacks, and such incidents are expected to increase in the future, as reported by LRT.
Kubilius referred to data from German and Dutch intelligence agencies, which warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be ready for new aggression in three to four years. The commissioner emphasized that Europe must urgently strengthen its defence capabilities and create reserves to deter any provocations or threats. This, he said, includes developing projects such as “Eastern Flank Surveillance” and “Border Monitoring Using Drones.”
The Eastern Flank defence system, Kubilius explained, consists of two “walls.” The first is a “land wall,” aimed at countering the incursion of enemy heavy equipment. The second is a “drone wall,” designed to prevent provocations and airspace incursions using drones. These measures, the commissioner stressed, are vital for the security of border countries and all of Europe.
Kubilius also noted that Russia could use not only land but also maritime assets for provocations. He stated that ships of the so-called “shadow fleet” could serve as platforms for drone launches. The commissioner highlighted that the EU should take into account Ukraine’s experience and use cost-effective methods to counter drones. According to him, destroying a drone costing around €10,000 with surface-to-air missiles worth millions is not economically feasible.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds supported Kubilius’s position. He noted that no European country is far enough from Russia to feel completely safe. According to the minister, countering drones should be based on a multi-layered system of three elements: detection using radars and sensors, deployment of countermeasures, and coordination between ground and air systems.
Sprūds added that Latvia intends to continue developing drone countermeasure technologies, including maritime applications, and reminded that the country is a leading member of the coalition supporting Ukraine in counter-drone efforts.
