EU Steps Up Defences Against Russian Drone Threats
EU leaders have agreed to strengthen protection against Russian drone threats by expanding air defence capabilities, counter-drone systems and border security measures, with a particular focus on the Union’s Eastern flank.
The leaders of the EU's 27 member states agreed at the European Council summit held in Brussels on 18–19 June 2026 that the European Union will step up security measures in response to the growing threat posed by Russian drones.
The decision was prompted by an incident in Romania, where a Russian drone carrying explosives crashed into a residential building. In the summit conclusions, the EU also condemned repeated violations of member states’ airspace and other hybrid attacks linked to Russia and Belarus.
The European Council stressed the need to strengthen the protection of all EU land, air and maritime borders, particularly along the Eastern flank. To this end, member states will accelerate the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security and further develop the Eastern Flank Watch project, aimed at monitoring potential threats along the Union’s eastern border.
Particular attention will be given to enhancing early-warning systems, air defence capabilities, and technologies for detecting and neutralising drones. EU leaders also called for increased defence production and greater investment in innovative solutions to protect critical infrastructure from drone attacks.
According to the summit conclusions, drones and counter-drone systems have been identified as key priorities in Europe’s efforts to strengthen its defence readiness by 2030.