UK military deployed 60 Troops to Belgium after suspected Russian drone incursions
The UK is sending military personnel and equipment to Belgium to strengthen its air defences following a series of suspected Russian drone incursions over Belgian airspace.
The move comes after Belgium’s main airport, Zaventem, was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night when drones were spotted nearby, disrupting flights and raising serious security concerns. Drones were also detected in other locations, including a military base.
Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Richard Knighton, the new head of the UK military, confirmed that the Belgian armed forces had requested assistance earlier in the week.
“Our Belgian counterparts asked for help, and we’ve responded quickly,” Sir Richard said. “Our kit and personnel are already on the way.”
He added that while it was not yet confirmed whether Russia was behind the incursions, it was “plausible” they had been ordered from Moscow.
The decision to assist Belgium was made in coordination with Defence Secretary John Healey and Nato allies.
“Alongside our Nato partners, we’re providing equipment and capability to help Belgium counter this threat,” Sir Richard said.
On Friday, Germany’s defense ministry also announced it would supply anti drone support after receiving a formal request from Brussels.
UK Travel disruption and ongoing investigation
The drone sightings caused significant disruption at Zaventem Airport, affecting around 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers. The airline said it had faced “considerable costs” after being forced to cancel or divert dozens of flights.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Belgium’s security services have both said they suspect Russian involvement, though Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has admitted that no concrete evidence has yet been found.
“At first, drones over our military bases were seen as our problem,” Francken said earlier this week. “Now it has become a serious threat affecting civilian infrastructure across multiple European countries.”
Read More: Severe Snow and Ice Warnings Issued Across Scotland
Rising European tensions
Sir Richard described Russia as the most pressing threat to Europe, warning that its “illegal invasion of Ukraine” had exposed “the barbaric nature of its war efforts.”
He added that sabotage operations and targeted killings carried out by Russian agents on UK soil showed the growing risks of hybrid warfare.
“Hybrid warfare is where we need to strengthen ourselves,” he said.
In recent months, a number of drone sightings have caused major flight disruptions across Europe, including in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. While some officials blame Moscow, the Kremlin has denied any involvement.
Pistorius has suggested that the recent drone incursions could be linked to EU discussions about using frozen Russian assets to fund a €140bn loan for Ukraine.
Although there is no public proof of Russian involvement, tensions have been heightened by a series of airspace violations in Eastern Europe, involving fighter jets and attack drones.
The UK has also stepped up its defence role in the region, recently deploying RAF Typhoon jets to join Nato missions over Poland in response to the growing threat.
