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- Wild bear captured in Japan after days of sightings and school closures
- Palestinian solidarity rises at German universities amid calls to boycott Israeli ties
- Quebec municipalities and environmentalists warn of risks to water reserves
- Iran and Israel exchange strikes as Trump calls for immediate ceasefire
- Zelensky criticises Reform UK for removing Ukrainian flags from town halls
- French military jet downs Russian drone entering NATO airspace in Latvia
- France and Germany scrap joint fighter jet programme over disputes
- Trump warns Netanyahu of potential isolation if attacks on Iran persist
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Wild bear captured in Japan after days of sightings and school closures
12:02 pm
Media Lens: Wild bear captured in Japan after days of sightings and school closures
A wild black bear captured after a multi-day hunt in Japan has drawn significant national attention. The operation occurred north of Tokyo, where the bear caused panic and nearly 100 school closures.
Quick links: What has happened | Status quo | Confirmed facts | Preconceptions | Elisions | One story, four angles | Related links
What has happened
A wild black bear was captured in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, after a multi-day search that captivated the nation. The bear caused significant concern, leading to nearly 100 school closures in nearby cities as it roamed close to residential areas.
The efforts to capture the bear involved local authorities and wildlife professionals, highlighting the challenges faced when wildlife intersects with urban environments. The bear was eventually tranquilized and relocated, allowing residents to breathe a sigh of relief.
Status quo
In Japan, bear sightings have led to significant public safety concerns, prompting local authorities to close nearly 100 schools. This response comes amid an increase in bear-related incidents following the animals’ post-hibernation emergence. The situation has garnered widespread attention and prompted measures to ensure the safety of residents, particularly in areas harder hit by bear activity.
Confirmed facts
- A wild black bear was captured in Japan after causing panic among residents.
- The bear was reported to be the cause of nearly 100 school closures due to safety concerns.
- This incident follows an increase in bear sightings and attacks during the post-hibernation period.
- The bear was captured north of Tokyo after a multi-day hunt.
Preconceptions
- **Reuters** prioritizes the emotional impact of the wild black bear capturing national attention, emphasizing public reactions and the narrative of the hunt’s urgency, while reducing details on the bear’s capture technique.
- **BBC** places a stronger emphasis on the bear’s behavior and the context of multiple sightings, presenting a more analytical approach and reducing sensationalism compared to Reuters.
- **CBS News** highlights the disruptions caused by the bear, specifically the nearly 100 school closures, focusing on the public safety aspect, whereas other sources may downplay this impact.
- **CNN** emphasizes the city’s response to post-hibernation attacks, presenting it within a public health and safety narrative, whereas other outlets highlight the public’s fear more acutely.
Elisions
- In-depth analysis of the bear’s behavior and habitat is largely absent in Reuters’ article compared to the BBC’s comprehensive background on bear sightings and environmental concerns.
- Coverage of public responses to the bear captures is more pronounced in CNN’s reporting, whereas Reuters mainly focuses on the events surrounding the capture without delving into community sentiment.
- While both CBS News and BBC mention school closures related to bear sightings, CBS provides specific details about the number of schools affected, which is less emphasized in BBC’s approach.
One story, four angles
Reuters – Wild black bear in Japan captured after multi-day hunt grips nation’s attention
Publication: Reuters | Intensity: (7/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: The article emphasizes the bear’s capture and public fascination. The sensationalist “grips nation’s attention” phrase draws initial focus.
Key differences:
1. **Focus on Public Reaction**: Reuters frames the event as gripping national attention, e.g., “nation’s attention” versus just a narrative of capture.
2. **Lengthy Coverage**: The report provides extensive context about the events leading to the bear’s capture, which may lead readers to consider the broader implications of wildlife encounters in urban areas.
3. **Tone of Urgency**: Uses strong verbs like “captured” instead of “caught” to convey urgency and importance, enhancing reader engagement.
Bias: Selection: Emphasizes public reaction over ecological concerns | Language: Uses strong, urgent words to evoke emotion | Omission: Lacks in-depth ecological context or consequences of wildlife encroachment.
Assessment: Readers are led to perceive the event as not just news but as a fascinating spectacle capturing widespread interest.
BBC – Black bear caught in Japan after days of sightings
Publication: BBC | Intensity: (6/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: The article leads with the bear’s capture following prior “days of sightings,” establishing a background narrative.
Key differences:
1. **Descriptive Lead**: “Caught after days of sightings” gives a sequential narrative, contrasting with Reuters’ immediate focus on capture.
2. **Reporting Style**: The BBC avoids emotionally charged language, opting for a factual recount, which might encourage a more analytical reader response.
3. **Contextual Notes**: Includes details on the implications for local wildlife policy which adds depth compared to Reuters’ focus on public interest.
Bias: Selection: Focus on the capture process rather than public emotion | Language: Uses neutral descriptors, detracting from sensationalism | Omission: Lacks psychological aspects of urban wildlife interactions.
Assessment: Readers perceive the report as a standard wildlife news piece, focusing on events without heightened emotions.
CBS News – Bear that caused panic and nearly 100 school closures captured north of Tokyo: “So relieved”
Publication: CBS News | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Positive | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: The focus is on the panic caused and relief felt post-capture. The emotional quote adds a personal touch.
Key differences:
1. **Emotional Appeal**: CBS leverages personal feelings like “relieved,” sharply contrasting with a more detached narrative from the BBC.
2. **Crisis Framing**: Emphasizes the “panic” leading to school closures, steering the narrative towards community impact and urgency.
3. **Visual Imagery**: The captioning of the bear’s actions enhances visual storytelling, unlike the more straightforward approach of Reuters.
Bias: Selection: Elevates human emotion and community impact over ecological concerns | Language: Emotional language fosters reader empathy | Omission: Minimizes wildlife welfare concerns amidst human impacts.
Assessment: Readers are likely to view the incident as a dramatic crisis intertwined with local human emotion.
CNN – Japanese city closes nearly 100 schools after bear sightings as post-hibernation attacks rise
Publication: CNN | Intensity: (9/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: Low
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Espresso Shot: The piece outlines a serious public safety threat, grounding the narrative in occurrences of school closures.
Key differences:
1. **Crisis Narrative**: Highlights “school closures” and “post-hibernation attacks,” framing the situation as critical and dangerous, unlike the more neutral tones from BBC and Reuters.
2. **High Stakes Language**: Uses terms like “safety threat” which elevate concern levels above other sources.
3. **Urgency of Response**: Indicates that immediate actions are required by communities, unlike the more passive reporting of the other outlets.
Bias: Selection: Focuses on threats to human safety rooted in community action | Language: Urgent and alarming word choices heighten the sense of danger | Omission: Lacks in-depth ecological analysis of rising bear encounters.
Assessment: Readers likely perceive an alarming situation that necessitates urgent community responses and fears.
Reuters highlights the dramatic societal impact of a wild bear capture in Japan, portraying it as a gripping narrative. In contrast, BBC’s coverage adopts a more neutral tone, focusing on the factual elements of the bear’s capture. Meanwhile, CBS News escalates the situation, emphasizing panic and school closures in a sensationalized manner. CNN’s framing is similarly escalatory, citing rising post-hibernation attacks as a key concern. Thus, while Reuters presents the story in a captivating light, CBS and CNN’s coverage leans towards alarmism. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Related links
Reuters
Wild black bear in Japan captured after multi-day hunt grips nation’s attention
BBC
Black bear caught in Japan after days of sightings
CBS News
Bear that caused panic and nearly 100 school closures captured north of Tokyo: “So relieved”
CNN
Japanese city closes nearly 100 schools after bear sightings as post-hibernation attacks rise
Palestinian solidarity rises at German universities amid calls to boycott Israeli ties
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: ‘Historic’ wave of Palestinian solidarity grows at universities in Germany
At Leipzig University in Germany, nearly 700 students voted for their institution to cease all collaboration with Israeli universities due to accusations of complicity in the Israeli military complex. This vote follows similar motions at other German universities, reflecting a growing wave of Palestinian solidarity on campus.
The demand for boycotts against Israeli institutions has gained momentum at multiple German universities, with at least three student councils having proposed similar motions since March. A representative from Leipzig University’s student body indicated that a report detailing the complicity of Israeli academic institutions in military actions was shared across the campus, highlighting a growing trend of pro-Palestinian activism among students.
In response to the growing calls for boycotts, Leipzig University indicated that it had denied permission for a student assembly due to concerns about partisan statements and academic freedom. Meanwhile, the Hertie School faced backlash over its stance against the BDS movement, with leadership labelling the student council’s resolution as “unacceptable” amidst rising tensions on campus.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how universities in Germany plan to address the growing student calls for boycotting Israeli institutions amid varying political climates and legislative pressures.
Palestinian solidarity rises at German universities amid calls to boycott Israeli ties
News|Education‘Historic’ wave of Palestinian solidarity grows at universities in Germany
Calls for universities to cut ties with Israeli institutions are rising in the country that views the BDS movement as extreme.
Groups of students at several German universities have called on their schools to boycott Israeli partners over the genocide in Gaza [File: John Macdougall/AFP]
Nearly 700 students from Leipzig University, in Germany, sat down last month on the square outside the college cafeteria, next to the city’s old, ruined fortifications, to vote. A sea of hands rose, holding yellow cards.
The vote was almost unanimous: The student council demanded the university cease all collaboration with Israeli institutions.
list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4The rise of global boycotts against Israel’s genocide in Gazalist 2 of 4Campaign to boycott Israel looks to future after Gaza ‘ceasefire’list 3 of 4Europe’s growing fight over Israeli goods: Boycott movements mushroomlist 4 of 4‘Love you, from Gaza’: Fans, athletes hail Yamal’s Palestine flag waveend of list
“All five [Israeli] partner universities of Leipzig University are an essential component of the Israeli military complex: They develop weapons, surveillance systems and recruit on their campus for military units,” 22-year-old Orlando Becker of Students for Palestine Leipzig told WTX News.
“We therefore think that cooperating with those universities is in and of itself problematic, because one is legitimising and normalising those institutions.”
The Leipzig vote is the latest success for a wave of Palestinian solidarity at German universities that has accelerated since March, in which at least three other student councils – in Berlin and Dusseldorf – have put forward similar motions.
Israeli universities have long been accused of complicity in war crimes and other alleged abuses committed by their government. To argue their case, the students put together a report outlining how academic institutions contribute to the Israeli war machine – for example, in Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank – as well as advancing the government’s narratives.
“One example is archaeology projects,” said Becker. “Those often have the goal to prove that Palestinians do not exist and that Palestine was empty before the settlers came. In the name of science, Israel justified ethnically cleansing the Palestinian village of Susya in order to conduct archaeological research there, and later on twisted the findings to prove that the very same people that were ethnically cleansed never existed in the first place. Leipzig University has one archaeology project with Ben Gurion University.”
After sharing the report around campus, Students for Palestine collected 1,300 signatures to convene a general student assembly. The day before the assembly was due to take place, the university withdrew permission to use a lecture hall.
In response to a query, a Leipzig University spokesperson directed WTX News to a statement that permission was denied on the grounds that the students were making a “partisan statement and the intention to restrict academic freedom”.
Becker described “a historic moment for Germany” as more students across the country are joining campaigns in support of Palestinians.
“We are not naive, though. If the past is any indicator, then the rectorate will care more about Israel than about their own democratic institutions and the collective will of the students … Our fight is not concluded until all of Palestine is free.”
‘Students have organised for years’
In March, at the Hertie School, a private university in Berlin, the student council voted on a resolution supporting BDS – the nonviolent Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign – by cutting ties with Israeli institutions. It was the first German student council to do so.
“Students have organised for years to demand the Hertie School end all collaborations with organisations complicit in human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories,” said a member of the Hertie Student Representation (HSR), who requested their name be withheld.
Pro-Palestinian activists in May 2024 occupied a courtyard of the Free University in Berlin [Markus Schreiber/AP]
“The university leadership has inadequately responded to these popular student initiatives and ignored many of our demands … Therefore, a coalition of students drafted this resolution to apply the BDS framework to student-administered funds. It was passed by the student council with over 90 percent of votes in favour and none against.”
The Hertie School distanced itself from the HSR, with the Hertie Foundation calling the motion “unacceptable” in a statement. There were mixed reactions among the students, with some reporting a tense atmosphere on campus, and the HSR stepped down after losing a vote of no confidence.
“[The university] used fear tactics like telling students that their job prospects would be damaged by association with BDS, that international students’ visa statuses could be jeopardised, and that the Hertie School’s funding might be cut,” said the HSR member.
“Furthermore, the university leadership implied students in support of the motion were acting outside the bounds of law.”
‘It almost felt like I was back in Russia’
BDS is considered extremist by the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, although it is not banned.
“I went to a meeting about this situation at the university and was shocked. The entire discussion felt staged,” said Arshak Makichyan, an environmentalist and antiwar activist now in his final year at Hertie.
“It almost felt like I was back in Russia. I feel disappointed that, instead of having an honest discussion at a university where we read academic works about what constitutes genocide and why what Israel is doing is clearly against international law, students cannot even raise these issues … I feel disappointed in Germany and in the other students who did nothing to defend our representatives.”
Support for Israel is considered one of modern Germany’s core national interests, referred to as its Staatsraison, or reason for state.
“Being pro-Israel has always been a way to prove Germany has learned from its past and is amongst the good again,” explained Peter Ullrich, an anti-Semitism researcher at the Technical University (TU) of Berlin, alluding to the legacy of the Holocaust.
“This has resulted in a strange discourse where Israel is nearly sacrosanct in the political establishment, and Palestinian voices and their supporters are treated badly with undifferentiated discourse (and) severe state handling of demonstrations.”
A Jewish student at Hertie, who requested anonymity, said that as a descendant of Holocaust survivors, they have been “alienated”.
“It was insinuated that my commitment to fighting oppression stood in contradiction to my identity, my history, and my love for the Jewish people,” they said. “For many Jews, supporting non-violent political pressure wherever rights are violated is an expression of the moral responsibility thrust upon us by generations of persecution. Levelling accusations of anti-Semitism in this context trivialises a term that should remain reserved for genuine hatred and violence against Jews, and must not be used as a shield against criticism of state power.”
Pro-Palestinian activism at German institutions is suppressed by event cancellations, police interventions and even legal proceedings against students involved.
In November 2023, a Free University of Berlin (FUB) lecture hall was occupied by students in solidarity with Gaza. Then, in May 2024, Humboldt University’s Institute of Social Sciences was occupied and renamed Jabalia Institute, after a besieged Gaza refugee camp.
Both times, police were called and violently removed the students, dozens of whom were injured. People of colour, including those with Arab identities, were reportedly treated more harshly.
Several were charged with trespassing, and four FUB protesters were expelled from the country.
In April, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf (HHU) pledged to continue its collaboration with Israeli institutions despite a student parliament resolution demanding an academic boycott, while last week, another BDS resolution was voted down at the FUB.
“I think you’ll find pretty strong criticism of the current Israeli government or politics at universities, it’s just that the universities in Germany are state-funded,” said Uffa Jensen of the Center for Research on Antisemitism at TU Berlin.
“The real question in Germany is the political support for Israel, and that comes first. Because in the case of Russian universities after the attack on Ukraine, they were officially ordered to stop all collaborations by the German Education and Science Ministry. And they did this immediately … the treatment is strikingly different, even after two years of intense conflict in the Middle East.”
He said the impact on the universities’ leadership was likely to be muted.
“On the individual scholars and on plans for future research collaborations, it might have an effect on various levels, but that’s something nobody will necessarily openly acknowledge.”
Quebec municipalities and environmentalists warn of risks to water reserves
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: Quebec municipalities and environmentalists say province’s water reserves are at risk
An operation has been launched to raise the water levels of the St. Lawrence River due to ongoing low levels. Authorities have not confirmed any immediate outcomes from the operation.
Authorities are currently investigating the impact of low water levels on the St. Lawrence River, with efforts to restore suitable conditions underway. As of now, there is no timetable for when the investigation will conclude or when water levels are expected to normalise.
Authorities have initiated an operation to raise water levels in the St. Lawrence River amid escalating concerns over sustained low levels. The next steps include ongoing assessments and potential implementation of further conservation measures to address the situation.
What remains unclear — It is not known what specific actions will be taken to address the low water levels in the St. Lawrence River.
Quebec municipalities and environmentalists warn of risks to water reserves
By Erika Morris
The Canadian Press
Posted June 8, 2026 10:28 pm
3 min read
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Iran and Israel exchange strikes as Trump calls for immediate ceasefire
8:00 am
Get you up to speed: Breaking down Iran and Israel’s flare-up as Trump insists peace talks are proceeding
President Trump urged both Israel and Iran to halt military actions following an exchange of strikes on Sunday. The statement was made amid ongoing peace negotiations, with the president citing “ignorance or stupidity” as potential obstacles.
US officials are actively monitoring the situation following the recent hostilities between Israel and Iran. No further details have been provided regarding the timeline for negotiations or potential resolutions.
President Trump has called for an immediate halt to hostilities between Israel and Iran, emphasising the need for ongoing peace negotiations despite potential obstacles. He described these obstacles as “ignorance or stupidity” and has not specified any further measures to facilitate the discussions.
What remains unclear — It is not specified what specific measures President Trump believes would facilitate the ongoing peace negotiations.
Iran and Israel exchange strikes as Trump calls for immediate ceasefire
Zelensky criticises Reform UK for removing Ukrainian flags from town halls
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: Zelensky slams Reform UK for pulling down Ukraine flags from town halls | News UK
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and President of France Emmanuel Macron at 10 Downing Street in London. Zelenskyy warned that “small mistakes can break big friendships” following Reform UK’s removal of Ukrainian flags from town halls under their national policy prioritising English symbols.
Reform UK has implemented a policy to prioritise English symbols at council buildings, leading to the removal of Ukrainian flags, although it is unclear when these flags may be reinstated. The meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscored the ongoing international discussions regarding support for Ukraine amid heightened tensions with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned Reform UK that “small mistakes can break big friendships” after the party removed Ukrainian flags from town halls as part of a national policy shift. Following a meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and leaders from France and Germany, Zelenskyy expressed hope for a reconsideration of the decision, stating, “I hope they will put it back.”
What remains unclear — It is not specified when President Zelensky’s meeting with Roman Abramovich took place.
Zelensky criticises Reform UK for removing Ukrainian flags from town halls
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Reform UK that ‘small mistakes can break big friendships’ after they decided to take down Ukrainian flags from outside town halls they control.
Reform has hauled down the Ukrainian flag from town halls under their national policy to prioritise English symbols outside council buildings.
Last year the blue and yellow colours were removed and replaced with a frayed red and white banner showing Warwickshire’s bear and ragged staff.
The move followed a row between the party and the county council’s chief executive over the Progress Pride flag, which it also wanted removed.
But Ukraine’s president expressed his hope that they would change their course in an interview with the Guardian newspaper which took place in London after he met with Sir Keir Starmer, and the political leaders of France and Germany, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. ‘I hope they will put it back’, Mr Zelensky told the newspaper.
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He added: ‘I don’t want to be involved in any political things, but you know, the world is so sensitive today. Sometimes little, small mistakes can break big friendship or huge contacts.’
The Ukrainian leader then suggested that ‘people have to not make mistakes’, before adding: ‘OK, so you did it, please let’s come back to the table, let’s speak, let’s understand each other.’
Elsewhere in the Guardian interview, Mr Zelensky stressed how much his country and Britain need one another in Europe’s standoff against Russia.
‘British people helped us from the very beginning of this war, it’s true. It’s because of security, not only values… But it’s about security in Europe. It’s in the interests of the UK.’
Mr Zelensky also revealed that he plans to invite the King for a state visit to Ukraine as early as this year, after Charles’s show of support for him after US President Donald Trump’s blistering row with the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office a year ago.
The King and Mr Zelensky met for a private audience on Monday. In an interview with Sky News, Mr Zelensky earlier revealed that Roman Abramovich has acted as a go-between for Kyiv and Moscow on plans for peace talks.
He told the broadcaster the former owner of Premier League football club Chelsea had met him in Kyiv with a message from Russia and offered to bring a reply directly to Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky said Mr Abramovich ‘wanted to give me the message that they (Russia) are ready to, that they want to understand what we are ready to do’, and had offered to take a reply ‘and give it to Putin’. He added: ‘I said the question is not about us. You are fighting against us on our territory. ‘And I said to him about Donbas, it was the key message, I said we will not leave and we will not go out from our territory. No, we will not give you a victory (in) such (a) way, and you will not get it.’
Mr Zelensky said he told Mr Abramovich to tell the Russian president he was willing to meet ‘any time from tomorrow’ in any location other than Russia or Belarus, and either bilaterally or with Mr Trump and European leaders.
He did not say when the meeting took place, but the Financial Times reported the pair had met in late May this year. Mr Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 over his connections to Mr Putin.
He has previously been involved in negotiations with Moscow and reportedly played a role in arranging a prisoner swap in 2022 that secured the release of five British men captured while fighting for Ukraine.
In a joint statement on Sunday night, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Merz called on the Russian president to agree ‘an immediate and complete ceasefire’ and condemned Russia’s ‘large-scale missile and drone attacks’ on Ukrainian cities.
On the same day, a Russian drone strike killed three people waiting at a bus stop in south-eastern Ukraine, while a separate attack damaged a storage centre for spent nuclear fuel nine miles from the Chernobyl power plant. Officials said radiation remains within safe levels.
French military jet downs Russian drone entering NATO airspace in Latvia
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: Russian drone shot down by French military after entering Nato airspace | News World
A French military jet shot down a Russian drone that had entered NATO airspace in eastern Latvia earlier today. The Latvian Army reported the incident as part of “Russian electromagnetic warfare,” confirming no injuries occurred during the engagement.
The Latvian Army is currently investigating the drone incursion as part of ongoing concerns about Russian military activities in the region. Authorities reported that the drone was deployed with tactics indicative of Russian electromagnetic warfare strategies, raising alarms about potential future threats to NATO airspace.
The Latvian Army has described the incident as part of “Russian electromagnetic warfare,” prompting residents in eastern Latvia to seek shelter after the drone incursion. In response, military officials have heightened alerts and vigilance regarding further threats from Russian drones, reflecting concerns about increasing aggression in the Baltic States.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how NATO will respond to the potential stockpiling of fibre-optic drones by Russia.
French military jet downs Russian drone entering NATO airspace in Latvia
The NATO jet was able to eliminate the drone quickly (Picture: east2west)
A French military jet shot down a Russian drone which entered Nato’s airspace earlier today.
Residents of eastern Latvia had been told to seek shelter indoors after the mystery drone was spotted.
The Latvian Army said the drone had flown into its airspace from Russia as part of what it described as ‘Russian electromagnetic warfare’.
On X, the army said: ‘Allied fighter jets successfully shoot down a drone flying into Latvian airspace!’
A French Rafale fighter jet, which was on a Nato mission, managed to shoot down the drone before anyone was hurt.
It’s the latest incursion of Russian drones into Nato airspace as Putin looks to expand his aggression from Ukraine into the Baltic States.
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The French Rafale jet was on a NATO mission when it was scrambled (Picture: Shutterstock)
Last month, it was reported that Putin was stockpiling fibre-optic drones for a potential future assault on Nato countries.
It is thought the Kremlin may already have amassed as many as 130,000 fibre-optic drones, a number which could rise to 200,000 by the end of the summer.
The FPV drones are especially dangerous because they are operated using hair-thin fibre-optic cables rather than radio signals, making them far harder to electronically jam.
Russian military insiders believe the weapons could overwhelm Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the opening stages of an assault designed to shock Europe before Nato can react.
The Kremlin sees the Baltic states as uniquely vulnerable because, although they possess advanced electronic warfare capabilities, they lack Ukraine’s combat experience with mass drone warfare.
In Lithuania, an air raid alarm was sounded when a drone entered its airspace (Picture: AP)
Russian planners also allegedly see Europe as lacking the political will for a prolonged fight for the Baltics — particularly while Donald Trump is in the White House.
In March, organisation Volya said they had received confirmation from sources in the Russian Ministry of Defence that Putin’s plan to ‘invade’ the Baltic states has moved to the next stage.
‘The Russian political leadership believes that European countries will be reluctant to fight a nuclear power, especially without direct support from the United States,’ Volya’s analysis said.
‘Putin and his circle believe that major European countries would not risk going to war with Russia over the Baltic states.’
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