Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders that Russia possesses the capability to violate airspace anywhere in Europe, urging the continent to develop rapid-response defense systems capable of countering drones.
“If the Russians dare to send drones against Poland, or violate the airspace of Northern European countries, it means it could happen anywhere,” Zelensky said at a security and defense summit in Copenhagen.
He added that Western Europe urgently needs effective defensive forces to respond to drone threats.
Ukraine as a Drone Defense Expert
The summit follows recent Russian drone incursions in Denmark, which forced the closure of Copenhagen Airport on September 22, along with other violations of European airspace.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, host of the summit, highlighted Ukraine’s expertise in drone defense:
“Ukraine is the world’s leading expert in countering drones. European countries should adopt Ukraine’s experiences, technologies, and innovations in their rearmament processes.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store noted that European countries are learning hard lessons from Ukraine’s drone defense strategies, emphasizing the need to improve detection capabilities and coordination between police and military forces.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Ukraine as a “powerhouse in drone defense technology”, sharing insights and innovations with Denmark, Poland, and NATO allies.
Ongoing Russian Attacks
Shortly before the summit, Russia struck a railway depot in Odesa, demonstrating continued threats to Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukrainian Territorial Development Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described these attacks as part of Russia’s effort to “destroy one of Ukraine’s pillars of resilience.”
Rocket and drone attacks were also reported in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, underscoring the ongoing security challenges.
Frederiksen labeled these airspace violations as a “hybrid war”, describing Ukraine as the “first line of defense” for Europe.
“From a European perspective, there is only one country capable of threatening us, and that is Russia. Therefore, we need a very strong response,” Frederiksen said.
Prisoner Exchange Between Ukraine and Russia
Despite ongoing hostilities, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange on October 2, with 185 Ukrainian soldiers and 20 civilians returning home. President Zelensky confirmed the exchange, sharing photos of the freed Ukrainians wrapped in national flags.
“We are bringing home 185 of our defenders from Russian captivity. One hundred eighty-three are soldiers and privates, and two are officers. Additionally, 20 civilians are returning home,” Zelensky stated on X.
Zelensky’s message is clear: Europe must strengthen air defenses, learn from Ukraine’s experience, and be prepared for ongoing hybrid threats from Russia.
