Bookended by deadly Islamist assaults on Paris, the departing year limped to a close with security forces on raised alert in many capitals and Belgian authorities announcing a series of terrorism-related arrests.
Prosecutors said police had seized a 10th suspect in Belgium in connection with the Nov.
13 Paris attacks that killed 130 and were claimed by Islamic State.
Six more were detained during house searches in Brussels in an investigation into a plot to carry out an attack in the city on New Year´s Eve.
Two others were arrested earlier this week, prompting authorities to call off the city´s traditional Dec.31fireworks display, which last year drew a crowd of around 100,000.
"We couldn´t guarantee keeping control of everyone," Mayor Yvan Mayeur said.
"In Russia, officials said the closure of Red Square, usually the focal point of celebrations, was to allow the filming of a New Year concert.
But that was denied by the television company concerned, prompting speculation that the real reason is fear of an attack.
Russia began bombing Syrian rebel targets on Sept. 30 in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad; a month later, a Russian plane was downed over Egypt, with the loss of 224 lives, in an attack claimed by Islamic State.
SHADOW OVER PARISS
Even weeks after the latest attacks and a week before the first anniversary of the gunning-down of cartoonists and staff at satirical paper Charlie Hebdo, Paris is greeting the New Year in what Mayor Anne Hidalgo called "an atmosphere of sobriety and togetherness".
The city has shortened a New Year video light show at the Arc de Triomphe at midnight, and cancelled a firework display to keep down crowds.
Soldiers are deployed at key tourist sites including Notre Dame cathedral, where tourist Mark Scarrott was visiting from Australia.
"We do feel safe. Obviously, New Year´s Eve will be a little bit different for this city.
I don´t think we will be heading out into the main attractions, just because of the things that have happened," he said.
I don´t think we will be heading out into the main attractions, just because of the things that have happened," he said.
Across Europe, the deadliest year of militant attacks since 2004 has compounded a mood of worry and uncertainty.
Evidence that two of the Nov. 13 attackers had entered the continent under cover of a wave of Middle Eastern refugees has heightened anxieties over the migration crisis and emboldened right-wing nationalist parties across the European Union who want a halt to the influx.
On Dec. 26, Vienna police said a "friendly" intelligence service had warned European capitals of the possibility of a shooting or bomb attack before New Year, prompting police across the continent to increase security measures.
POLICING THE PARTYGOERS
Many Europeans will still be out to party, of course, but under a much tighter than usual security presence. At the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, organisers expect more than one million people to gather to watch a fireworks display at midnight.
