BBC News
Frank Gardner
17 November 2025
Drones are now an integral part of modern warfare, but they are not confined to the battlefield.
Across western Europe, far from Ukraine, unarmed drones have also been found buzzing around airports, military bases and power plants, all part of a suspected programme of "hybrid warfare" being waged by Russia, with some speculating they're arriving to test the resilience of certain Nato countries that are helping Ukraine.
Recent drone sightings in Poland, along with a swathe spotted around critical infrastructure across Europe, including in Belgium and Denmark, have sparked fear across some Nato countries.
Now, there is talk that a "drone wall" is to be designed to protect parts of Europe - but just how necessary is this, really? And more pertinently, how realistic?
On 9 September, around 20 Russian drones overshot Ukraine and flew into Poland, forcing the closure of four airports.
Nato jets were scrambled and several of the drones were shot down - the rest crashed across Poland, scattering debris in multiple regions.
How realistic is the plan to build a 'drone wall' against Russia? - BBC News - 17 Nov 2025
