Authorities closed Brussels Zaventem Airport on Tuesday night after reports of a drone flying over the airfield. Belgium’s public broadcaster VRT confirmed that officials suspended all flights after the first sighting around 8 p.m. local time. Air traffic briefly resumed but halted again following a second drone report.
Liège Airport, which initially received diverted flights, also shut down after a separate drone incident. Skeyes, Belgium’s civil airspace authority, said flights were rerouted to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South. Officials continue investigating the source of the drones, which disrupted operations across multiple airports.
Europe on Edge After Russian Airspace Breaches
Both NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after a series of suspected Russian airspace violations in recent weeks. The alliance warned Moscow that it would defend its members against further incursions.
In early September, NATO reported Russian drones entering Polish airspace, followed by Estonia’s claim that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets crossed its border for 12 minutes without authorization. The Kremlin denied the accusation. The Polish incident marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
European leaders expressed deep concern about the repeated breaches, calling them a growing threat to regional stability and alliance readiness.
NATO Strengthens Defenses with Eastern Sentry
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the launch of the Eastern Sentry programme after the Polish airspace violation. The initiative aims to deter further Russian aggression and reinforce the alliance’s support for Eastern European members.
“We see drones violating our airspace, and it is unacceptable,” Rutte said. “Whether intentional or accidental, these actions demand a strong response. The allies stand fully with Poland and remain committed to defending every member of the Alliance.”
The alliance’s warning underscores rising tension between Russia and NATO, as European nations brace for potential new provocations in their skies.
