Nato has announced an immediate strengthening of air defences along its eastern flank following a major Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace. Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the incident as the largest concentration of violations of Nato airspace, but stopped short of declaring it a deliberate attack on Poland.
Speaking alongside Nato’s top general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, Rutte unveiled a new mission, Eastern Sentry, to enhance defence against drone and missile threats. The mission will begin with deployments in Poland and extend across the alliance’s eastern flank, with extra fighter jets from France, Germany and Denmark.
Rutte emphasised that the eastern flank defends the entire alliance, noting that Russian missiles could reach Madrid or London within minutes of being launched. Grynkewich acknowledged the scale of the incursion was unprecedented and called for a fresh look at current capabilities.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the swift response, stating that Poland wanted clear action to show Russia that its provocations will not be tolerated. The French foreign ministry also condemned the incursion as a threat to European security.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed impatience with Vladimir Putin but suggested the drone incursion could have been a mistake, a view contradicted by Polish officials. The EU separately agreed to extend sanctions against Russian individuals over the war in Ukraine.
