Shane Woodford

Breaking - The world famous #Louvre museum in #Paris says it is closed today “for exceptional reasons.” The #BBC is reporting the closure is due to a robbery discovered this morning. What has been stolen and how is currently unknown.

Former MI5 head Eliza Manningham-Buller says Britain may already be at war with Russia, not in the traditional sense, but through constant cyber-attacks, sabotage, and covert operations carried out by Moscow. She warned that Russia’s hostility has only deepened since the invasion of Ukraine.

#Denmark’s Defense Command is confirming that there were “several incidents” related to drone incursions at a number of military sites overnight. Among them were Jydske Dragoon Regiment barracks in Holstebro and Skrydstrup Air Base in mid-Jutland, where Denmark’s F-35 fleet is based.

The EU is moving to launch its own Patriot production. MBDA will open a plant in Germany to manufacture both missiles and launchers, Reuters reports.

Breaking - In a video address to the nation #Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen points the finger at #Russia for hybrid attacks like the recent drone incursions across 🇩🇰. “There is primarily one country that poses a threat to #Europe’s security, and that is Russia.”

Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen is calling out “weaknesses” in 🇩🇰’s air defenses after multiple drone intrusions across the country in the last 48 hours “It is both about purchasing some [anti-drone] capacities, but also about us being able to borrow some equipment for the situation we are in.”

In the aftermath of multiple drone intrusions across 🇩🇰, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is speaking bluntly “What we are experiencing in Denmark at the moment is a hybrid war. It is part of a pattern that we are also observing in other European countries.” She addsk “It is far from over.”

Danish Chief of Defense Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard said this is a crucial investment for defense and deterrence “Long-range precision weapons are crucial for us to be able to deliver credible deterrence and ensure a robust defence of #Denmark.”

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen says details on what exactly those long range precision weapons will be and the cost should be clarified “shortly.” Basically #Denmark is somewhere in the beginning stages of procurement.

#Denmark, already spending historic amounts on defense, announced what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called a “A paradigm shift in Danish defense policy.” Denmark will now procure long range precision weapons in drones and missiles. Frederiksen “#Russia is a real danger to #NATO.”

NATO will strenghten its military forces, both land & air, along its Eastern flank in the after Russian drones violating Polish air space. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Denmark, Germany, France, Great Britain, and other allies will contribute soldiers, equipment, & fighter jets

The air defense missile systems cost 58 billion Danish kroner, or about $12.6 billion Cdn. The first one will arrive this year and go into operational use. It is worth noting those systems will be European, as EU member states focus on building up the EU defense sector as the winds of war blow.

Citing the Russian drone incursion into Poland, #Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen says it is “a reminder” of the deteriorating security situation in Europe. Poulsen said Denmark is “strengthening our combat power”with the purchase of 8 medium to long range ground to air missile systems

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen adds there is only one language Russia understands and that is the ability to strike back. At least one of the Russian attack drones that violated Polish airspace was only 300 km from the Danish island of Bornholm.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on next steps “It is just as important that we accelerate our own rearmament. #Russia does not want peace.” She says that the US and other allies must also step up military donations to Ukraine “To give #Ukraine what it needs in order to win this war.”

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen adds there is only one language Russia understands and that is the ability to strike back. ”We have assumed that there may be a threat against other parts of NATO. Whether that is what we have seen just a few hours ago, I do not know. But it is clearly over the line.”

#Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen is calling the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones a very serious situation. “There must be a very clear response from #NATO. This is unacceptable. I believe #Russia is in the process of testing us, just as they have done for many years in Ukraine.”

It is worth noting for context that this is far from the first time Russian drones, and even on one occasion cruise missiles, used to attack Ukraine have violated Polish air space. The violations, especially with the cruise missiles, appear to be deliberate. #Poland #Russia #NATO

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says there were 19 violations of Polish airspace last night with Polish and NATO forces shooting several Russian attack drones down “The fact that drones, which pose a security threat, were shot down changes the political situation.” #Poland #Russia #NATO

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at least seven Russian attack drones violated Polish airspace. One of them appears to have hit a house in Poland. “Therefore, contact wqs made with our allies to formally request to activate Article 4 of the #NATO treaty.” #Poland #Russia

Breaking - After Russian attack drone incursions #Poland has asked #NATO to activate Article 4 of the treaty. This is a request for an immediate meeting of the North Atlantic Council for NATO member nations to assess a threat and potentially make a decision to address it, possibly militarily.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen says Fire Point’s factory will use Danish workers and priority will be given to Danish contractors and subcontractors. Jobs will also be prioritized for Ukrainians refugees living in Denmark. Several hundred jobs are expected to be created. #Denmark #Ukraine

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen welcomed Fire Point to #Denmark ”As a country, we are now helping to ensure that #Ukraine can continue the vital fight against Russia.” Flamingo missiles have a range of 3,000 km and have already hit targets in Russia.

#Denmark will host a Ukrainian company Fire Point who will set up a factory beside Skrydstrup Air Base, home of Denmark’s F-35 fleet, to produce rocket fuel for #Ukraine’s new Flamingo cruise missiles, among “other things.” The factory will begin production on Dec 1.

Zelensky says security guarantees for Ukraine have been discussed among allied nations. “We have discussed possible contributions from all countries. Who does what on land, at sea, in the air and in space?” He says the US is willing to contribute a “backstop” but did not provide any details.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says the most important factor in security guarantees for Ukraine are to ensure Ukraine has a strong military and the weapons it needs to defend itself.

#Denmark #Ukraine

As for what Ukraine is looking for in peace negotiations, Zelensky says legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine are a requirement to ensure Ukraine is secure and its people safe. “It must not depend on who is currently at the helm of one or the other country.”

Zelensky also told reporters in #Denmark that Ukrainians do not trust Putin and that #Ukraine will not be giving up its territory for what would likely be another temporary pause in the conflict. “No one can guarantee that Putin will not continue [the war].”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a press conference in Denmark alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen today. Zelensky told reporters that sanctions are working to weaken Russia. He says now is the time to turn up the pressure. “The Russian economy is already in a bad state.”

Huge issue with global ramifications. Massively concerning.