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German authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack at a construction site outside the Munich headquarters of defence technology company Rohde & Schwarz. Police arrested a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both Bulgarian, who are suspected of throwing incendiary devices. The fire caused no significant damage and no injuries were reported.

The incident comes amid growing concerns across Europe over possible sabotage targeting critical infrastructure. Germany has faced two suspected attempts to disrupt its electricity grid in recent days, while authorities are also investigating a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle airport that Germany and its allies have linked to Russia. Moscow has denied involvement.

Security concerns are spreading beyond Germany, with Denmark’s intelligence service saying Russia has attempted to recruit Danish citizens online to gather information on defence companies and infrastructure. German investigators are also examining possible international links to the Leipzig drone incident as European governments increase vigilance over potential foreign-backed sabotage.

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Germany is expected to blame Russia for an attempted drone attack targeting a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, according to two sources. The government may also consider imposing new sanctions against Moscow in coordination with its allies.

Airport workers reportedly discovered a drone carrying explosives and a detonator at the airport, which serves as an important civilian freight and NATO logistics hub. Germany had previously described the incident as part of a wider hybrid war against Europe without directly accusing Russia.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul indicated that Germany was considering further measures against Russia, saying the country would respond when attacked. Russia has previously rejected accusations of involvement, calling them a fabricated provocation.

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An Italian Eurofighter jet operating under NATO command shot down a drone after it entered Latvian airspace on Friday, according to NATO and Latvian authorities. The drone’s origin remains unknown, with Latvian National Guard troops searching a wooded area near Rugaji, about 35 km from the Russian border, for possible debris from the aircraft.

Two Italian Eurofighters scrambled from Lithuania, while two Turkish F-16s were also deployed from Estonia after the drone was detected. NATO said one of the Italian jets identified and destroyed the drone, adding that an investigation was underway and that it remained in close contact with Latvian authorities. The incident comes amid growing concerns over drone incursions into the airspace of NATO’s Baltic members, which border Russia and are close to the war in Ukraine.

A Romanian F-16 shot down a Ukrainian drone over Estonia in May, while a French Rafale destroyed another drone in Latvia in June. Finland also temporarily restricted some aviation and maritime activity in the eastern Gulf of Finland as a precaution.

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Poland and the Baltic states are strengthening security around critical infrastructure amid concerns that Russia could stage a false-flag attack using Ukrainian-made drones. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland have increased protection around power plants, gas facilities, dams and other strategic sites, as officials warn of potential sabotage aimed at testing NATO’s response.

Lithuania has deployed military personnel to help protect key energy facilities, including its liquefied natural gas terminal, oil products terminal, a major power link with Poland and the Kruonis pumped-storage plant. Latvia has also stepped up security around critical infrastructure, including a major dam near Riga and an underground gas storage facility. Poland is reviewing alternative gas supply routes and increasing protection around energy infrastructure and its planned first nuclear power plant.

Regional officials said intelligence assessments have raised concerns that a potential attack could create political confusion within NATO over how to respond. Russia has rejected the allegations, describing warnings of secret Russian attacks as “scare stories” and accusing Western countries of making claims without evidence. Officials across the region say they are maintaining heightened vigilance as tensions with Moscow remain high.

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A bus driver at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany reportedly kicked an explosive-laden drone out of the air after spotting it flying at low altitude, potentially preventing a major attack, a senior German lawmaker said. The drone crashed nearby and was later found to have been equipped with professional explosives and a detonator. Authorities have launched a counterterrorism investigation into the incident.

Leipzig/Halle is an important cargo and military logistics hub, serving as the main operational base for NATO’s Strategic Airlift International Solution and handling operations for companies including DHL. German media reported that the drone was found close to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. Authorities have not identified the drone’s origin or explained how it entered the airport’s restricted area.

Officials praised the driver’s bravery but warned that his actions were extremely dangerous and should not be repeated. Saxony’s Interior Minister Armin Schuster said alerting authorities would have been sufficient. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also discussed the incident with senior government officials as investigators examine whether the drone was part of a planned attack.

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Romania said it shot down a second drone that entered its airspace in two days near the border with Ukraine. The drone was detected by radar on Saturday morning over a sparsely populated area in the Danube Delta, prompting the Romanian military to scramble two F-16 fighter jets before it was brought down.

The incident follows Friday’s interception of another drone, which Romanian prosecutors identified as Russian. It marked the first time Romania, a NATO member, had actively shot down a drone after experiencing dozens of airspace breaches since Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River in 2022.

Romanian officials say drone incursions have become more frequent as Russian strikes around Ukraine’s Odesa region increase ahead of the harvest season. The growing attacks are raising concerns over security, energy supplies, and key trade routes in the Black Sea region.

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France used its annual Bastille Day parade to highlight European unity and support for Ukraine, with around 500 troops from the “Coalition of the Willing” marching along the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The parade also featured about 25 Ukrainian soldiers and came a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy joined more than 25 world leaders in Paris for a summit focused on strengthening support for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders including Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the national day celebrations. The event also included a joint fly-past by French and allied European aircraft, with Mirage fighter jets flown alongside Ukrainian co-pilots currently undergoing training. France described the international participation as a symbol of Europe’s growing commitment to collective security.

The display came as European allies announced a new air defence coalition to help Ukraine counter intensified Russian attacks and ammunition shortages. The Kremlin criticised the Paris gathering, calling the coalition “hostile.” Speaking ahead of the parade, Macron said Europe faces its most serious security challenges in decades and must be prepared to defend its values, freedom, and security if necessary.

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A major Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region has brought the realities of the war closer to Russia’s capital, striking an oil refinery and causing visible disruption across parts of the city. Thick black smoke rose over the skyline following the attack, while reports indicated that residential buildings and commercial properties were also affected. Local authorities said an eight-year-old girl was killed in a fire linked to the strikes.

The attack is being described as one of the largest aerial assaults on the Moscow region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While many residents have grown accustomed to periodic drone attacks and security incidents, the strike underscored the increasing reach of the conflict into Russian territory. Some residents expressed shock at the scale of the attack, while others viewed it as part of a new normal created by the prolonged war.

Russian officials and state media sought to downplay the impact, emphasizing that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine remain more extensive and effective. However, repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil facilities, have raised concerns about economic pressure, fuel shortages, and rising costs. Despite the growing frequency of such incidents, the Kremlin has signalled no change in its military strategy and remains committed to continuing the conflict.

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Hundreds of teenagers in Croatia have begun compulsory military service after the government reinstated conscription for the first time since it was abolished in 2008. Around 800 recruits reported to army barracks across the country, where they received their equipment and accommodation assignments before starting two months of training. Officials said more than half of the recruits volunteered for the programme, while about 10% of them are women, who are not required to serve under the new policy.

According to the Armed Forces of Croatia, the training programme will combine traditional military drills with modern defence skills such as drone operation, cyberwarfare basics and counter-drone protection. Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid said recruits would be gradually introduced to military discipline to avoid excessive stress. The government also confirmed that only a small number of people have registered as conscientious objectors, who will instead complete four months of civilian service with lower financial allowances.

Officials say the decision to restore conscription reflects growing security concerns in Europe following the war in Ukraine. Defence Minister Ivan Anusic noted that the region’s security environment has changed significantly in recent years, prompting Croatia to strengthen its defence readiness. The move also reflects a broader trend across Europe, with several NATO member states reintroducing or maintaining mandatory military service amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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Germany’s foreign intelligence service, Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has accused Moscow of understating the economic toll of its war in Ukraine, estimating that Russia’s 2025 budget deficit is significantly higher than officially reported. In a LinkedIn post, the BND said the actual federal deficit stood at 8.01 trillion roubles, compared with the official figure of 5.65 trillion roubles, or 2.6% of GDP. The agency claimed the shortfall was about 2.36 trillion roubles ($30.45 billion) greater than acknowledged by Russian authorities.

The BND said Western sanctions were having a “clear effect” on the Russian economy, compounded by sharply lower oil and gas revenues due to falling global energy prices. According to the agency, Russia has been forced to sell oil at steep discounts amid sanctions and pressure from the United States on key buyers. It also estimated that Russia’s consolidated budget deficit, including regional accounts, widened to 8.3 trillion roubles in 2025, or 3.9% of GDP — more than double the level recorded in 2024.

The Kremlin dismissed concerns about deteriorating public finances, describing falling revenues and a widening deficit as “routine difficulties” that could be managed thanks to overall macroeconomic stability. Russia’s Finance Ministry has not publicly responded to the BND’s assessment. Although global oil prices have recently risen following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Reuters calculations suggest the rebound remains insufficient to balance Russia’s budget.

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