Brussels (EFE).- Belgian intelligence services believe Russia is behind a series of drone flights detected in recent weeks over military bases and airports across the country, prompting temporary airspace closures and heightened national security concern, local media reported Wednesday.
Defense Minister Theo Francken told Parliament that the threat must be taken seriously, without publicly naming any state.
“The threat is serious; we must be aware of that,” Francken said during a parliamentary session.
National Security Council to meet Thursday
According to intelligence assessments discussed at a preparatory meeting for the National Security Council, the drone operations appear to involve a “state actor,” with Russia considered the most likely source.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called a high-level security meeting for Thursday morning, bringing together the Deputy Prime Ministers and the Ministers of Justice, Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs to evaluate the situation.
The drones have been detected at two military bases in the past month: Elsenborn, near the German border, and Marche-en-Famenne in southern Belgium.
Airports temporarily shutdown
The drone sightings also led to the temporary closure of several Belgian airports: Ostend (on Friday), Antwerp (on Saturday), Liège (on Tuesday), and Brussels Zaventem International Airport, where 54 flights were canceled on Tuesday.
Intelligence reports indicate that multiple drones have been flying in formation, often at night, suggesting technical expertise and coordinated operation.
Authorities say the current situation differs from previous drone activity.
In 2023, Belgium registered 30,000 drone incidents, but commercial aircraft were forced to alter routes only twice.
Officials say the new pattern demonstrates strategic intent rather than accidental airspace breaches.
Timing aligns with debate on Russian frozen assets
Security services believe the timing of the drone operations is not coincidental. Belgium is currently deciding whether to authorize the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Belgium holds the largest share of frozen Russian state and private funds in Europe, approximately 185 billion euros, most of it held by Euroclear, a Brussels-based financial services company.
At the EU Summit two weeks ago, Prime Minister De Wever blocked the immediate use of the frozen funds, but the 27 EU member states will revisit the issue during their December meeting.
The drone activity comes as several other EU states have also reported increased drone flights near airports or military installations in recent weeks.
Defense Minister Francken said Belgium is evaluating response measures, including the possibility of shooting down drones if they are deemed a security threat. EFE
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