Belgian authorities closed the airspace over Brussels Zaventem Airport after reports of a drone flying above the airfield. The public broadcaster VRT confirmed the incident late Tuesday night, saying all departing and arriving flights were immediately suspended.
The airport briefly reopened before closing again after a second drone was spotted. Liège Airport, which initially received diverted planes from Brussels, also shut down after a separate drone sighting. A spokesperson for skeyes, Belgium’s civil aviation authority, said the first incident occurred around 8 p.m. local time, forcing flights to divert to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi.
Officials said both airports would remain closed until investigators confirmed the airspace was secure.
NATO and EU Remain on Edge After Russian Airspace Breaches
The European Union and NATO increased security across their airspaces following several recent intrusions linked to Russia. At the end of September, NATO warned Moscow it would defend every inch of allied territory after Russian drones were downed over Poland and Estonian officials reported a violation by Russian fighter jets.
Poland’s 10 September drone incident marked the first direct encounter between NATO and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Estonia later accused three Russian MiG-31 jets of entering its airspace for 12 minutes without authorization, a charge the Kremlin denied.
European leaders expressed alarm, demanding stronger deterrence and quicker response systems to prevent future provocations.
NATO Launches Eastern Sentry to Deter Further Incursions
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a new defensive strategy called the Eastern Sentry Programme following Poland’s airspace violation. The initiative aims to strengthen surveillance, deter Russian aggression, and reassure allies along the alliance’s eastern flank.
“We see drones breaching our skies. Whether intentional or not, it is unacceptable,” Rutte said. “Our allies stand united with Poland. We must confront aggression and defend every NATO member without hesitation.”
With ongoing tensions and repeated intrusions, European air defenses remain on high alert as NATO prepares for potential escalation near its borders.
