Drones breach no-fly zone over Belgium's Doel nuclear plant

Three unauthorized drones breached the protected airspace over Belgium's Doel nuclear power plant on Sunday evening, according to official reports. The operator Engie confirmed the airspace violation while maintaining that the facility's operations and security remained uncompromised despite the incident.

Nuclear Facility Security Assessment

Energy security expert Luc Pauwels told VRT NWS that while the drones clearly violated the strict no-fly zone surrounding the nuclear plant, the facility's structural integrity was never at risk. "The reactors are designed to withstand aircraft impacts, from small planes to large passenger jets, meaning drones pose no structural threat," Pauwels explained, though he emphasized the seriousness of the airspace breach.

Airport Disruptions and Pattern of Incidents

The nuclear plant incident coincided with another temporary suspension of operations at Liege Airport, marking the second such disruption in three days. This follows multiple drone-related flight halts at both Liege and Brussels airports throughout the previous week, creating growing concerns about aviation safety and critical infrastructure protection across Belgium.

Broader European Security Context

These latest occurrences continue a pattern of mysterious drone appearances near sensitive sites across Europe in recent months, including previous incidents at military installations and transportation hubs. Some European security officials have suggested possible Russian involvement as part of hybrid warfare tactics amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though Moscow has consistently denied these allegations, creating security concerns for NATO members including Türkiye.