Belgian DM: Belgium has substantial evidence of Russian involvement in series of incidents in country

The Belgian Minister of Defense, Francken, has highlighted substantial evidence pointing to Russian involvement in a series of incidents in Belgium, as reported by The Brussels Times. In a podcast, Francken discussed various incidents, including proven drone attacks on sensitive sites, emphasizing that security services and the prosecutor's office are actively investigating these cases.

He acknowledged experiencing cyber-attacks on Belgian facilities, underscoring that these actions are part of hybrid warfare, aimed at destabilizing the country through sabotage and influencing public opinion. Francken stressed that Belgium's support for Ukraine, which has endured a prolonged war of attrition due to Russia's invasion in 2022, serves as the primary motivation behind these attacks.

However, due to operational security concerns and ongoing investigations, Francken could not specify which incidents are under scrutiny or the nature of the evidence pointing to Russia's involvement. The Belgian Minister also cautioned that Belgium is not yet fully prepared for potential confrontations with Russia, citing bureaucratic and timing factors.

Rasa Juknevičienė, a European Parliament member and Chair of the Committee on Security and Defense, suggested the EU should establish a mechanism akin to Article 4 of the NATO Treaty and maintain a "Black Book" documenting Russian hybrid aggression.