Belgian Defense Minister Francken said on Friday that several drones were sighted over a military base in the German-speaking part of Belgium and that a possible link to Russia is under investigation.
On Friday morning broadcaster VRT reported, based on sources within Defense, that 15 drones had been seen over the military base.
Investigation and context
Francken confirmed that “several drones were sighted at different altitudes,” but did not give a specific number. He said the drones were seen on both the Belgian and German sides of the base. The base is located in Belgium but borders Germany.
Francken said “it could be” that Russia is behind the drones, but that needs further investigation. “Right now there are no concrete indications, but hopefully there will be soon,” he said.
Francken called it “a pattern” that Russia uses mercenaries and pays them with crypto money, for example, to fly drones near sensitive infrastructure. Outgoing defense minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) said the drones over Belgium fit a “worrisome pattern.”
During the night from Thursday to Friday, drones disrupted air traffic at Munich Airport. Late last month, drones shut down air traffic in Copenhagen; the European Commission then assumed that the Russians were behind it.
