The past month has seen a fresh buildup of tensions in Europe following a foiled drone attack against a Ukrainian cargo plane at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 8th — an attempt that has since been traced to Russian forces.

Russia, of course, has denied involvement, despite all evidence to the contrary, calling it an “anti-Russia action.” In the intervening weeks, the two countries have shuttered several of each other’s consular and cultural representations on their respective territories. And the Kremlin, not surprisingly, has gone so far as to threaten direct military strikes against Berlin.

But Berlin is standing fast. In a recent statement, the German government said:

“Whoever is attacking our infrastructure has to k now: We can strike back, and we can disrupt and destroy their infrastructure.”

– Source: BRICS News, September 9, 2026.

It is disconcerting, to say the least, to witness the many instances of Russia’s hybrid war against various NATO nations, which have resulted in the necessary buildup of military defenses across the continent. But Europe has dealt with Russia’s bullying tactics for decades, and they know that the only way to handle a bully is to stare him down.

Vladimir Putin is already embroiled in one war that he has been unable to win after nearly five years. His country has suffered immeasurable human losses; his military is seriously depleted; his economy is faltering; and his own popularity is in decline. He can scarcely afford a second war, even if his few remaining allies continue to support him . . . and that is a very big “if.”

Let’s just hope he’s smart enough to realize it in time.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/10/26