Drone Sightings Ground European Flights, Raise Security Concerns

Munich airport was closed for the second time in 24 hours due to suspected drone sightings, affecting around 6,500 passengers. This incident is part of a series of drone-related disruptions in European aviation. Authorities are investigating the origin and operators of the drones, with Germany's Interior Minister promising to bring forward legislation to allow the police to ask the military to shoot down drones. The incident has raised concerns about airspace security, with several EU member states backing plans for a 'drone wall' to detect and destroy Russian drones. Russia has denied involvement in the incidents.

Unidentified drones disrupted flights at Munich airport and were spotted over a military base in eastern Belgium, amid a series of similar sightings in Western Europe. European leaders met in Copenhagen to discuss boosting air defenses, with suspicion falling on Russia behind the drone flights.

A Russian drone strike on a farm in northeast Ukraine killed around 13,000 pigs, with a worker injured in the attack. The strike was part of a larger Russian attack on Ukraine's natural gas facilities, with 381 drones and 25 missiles fired at gas extraction and processing facilities in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions. Ukrainian officials described the attack as 'deliberate terror' against civilian facilities, aimed at disrupting the heating season and depriving Ukrainians of warmth in winter. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed the strike was against Ukraine's military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure.

The article discusses Vladimir Putin's grey-zone campaign against NATO, a strategy that involves a series of low-level, deniable actions aimed at unsettling Europe without escalating to outright conflict. The campaign includes drone incursions, cyber-attacks, propaganda, and mysterious explosions, which individually may not be considered acts of war but collectively pose a significant threat. The article emphasizes the need for NATO to resist Russia's efforts to corrode its unity and highlights the challenges in responding to such a calibrated and subtle form of aggression. Germany's Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is quoted as saying that Europe is no longer at peace but not yet at war, underscoring the ambiguous nature of the current situation.

Munich Airport in Germany was temporarily shut down on October 4, 2025, due to drone sightings, affecting around 6,500 passengers and causing 23 diverted flights, 58 cancellations, and delays. This was the second closure in two days, with the airport having been closed overnight into Friday due to similar sightings. The incident occurred ahead of the Oktoberfest finale on Sunday, a major beer festival that draws millions of visitors. The drone sightings have raised concerns across Europe, with Denmark, Germany, and Norway experiencing similar incidents in recent weeks. Defense officials in Belgium reported drones flying over the country's Elsenborn military base, and Denmark has banned civil drone flights in its airspace. European leaders were set to discuss measures to protect the continent's skies, including a 'drone wall' initiative, at a summit in Copenhagen.

A German official is calling for the power to shoot down drones after several sightings at Munich Airport caused significant disruption, stranding nearly 3,000 passengers. The incident is part of a series of similar events across Europe, raising concerns about potential Russian involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any involvement, joking about the accusations. European leaders are bolstering anti-drone defenses in response to these incidents.

Sky News joins a NATO air patrol mission over Poland as part of Operation Eastern Sentry, aimed at deterring Russia from further incursions into NATO territory. The mission involves RAF Typhoon fighter jets and refuelling capabilities to bolster NATO's eastern flank following Russia's drone incursion on September 10. The article highlights the technical capabilities of the RAF Typhoons and the strategic importance of the mission in demonstrating NATO's readiness and deterrence against Russian aggression.