So far, Denmark, France, Britain and Germany have committed to the mission, with more allies expected to join in the coming days…reports Asian Lite News
NATO has announced plans to reinforce the defense of Europe’s eastern flank following the shooting down of drones that violated Poland’s airspace, marking the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The operation, dubbed Eastern Sentry, was announced on Friday by Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary-General, at a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The move follows escalating tensions after Poland intercepted and downed Russian drones earlier this week, which Warsaw described as an attempt by Moscow to test the alliance’s response capabilities.
“It’s reckless and unacceptable. We can’t have Russian drones entering allied air space,” Rutte said. He added that the new mission would integrate air and ground assets and would begin on Friday evening.
So far, Denmark, France, Britain and Germany have committed to the mission, with more allies expected to join in the coming days.
Alexus Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and a United States Air Force general, said the alliance would defend “every inch” of its territory. “Poland and citizens from across the alliance should be assured by our rapid response earlier this week and our significant announcement here today,” Grynkewich said.
The United Nations Security Council was due to meet on Friday at Poland’s request to discuss the incident.
The drone incursions have sparked rare public disagreement between Poland and the United States government. Earlier on Friday, Warsaw firmly rejected comments by Donald Trump suggesting the drone violations could have been accidental. “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it,” Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, wrote on X.
Trump, the President of the United States, told Fox News on Friday that his patience with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, was “sort of running out and running out fast,” though he stopped short of threatening new sanctions over the war.
Russia has admitted it was conducting attacks on Ukraine at the time but denied any intention of striking targets in Poland. Warsaw has portrayed the incursions as deliberate tests of NATO’s response.
European leaders strongly condemned Russia over the violation of Polish airspace. Germany said on Friday it had extended its air policing mission over Poland and had summoned the Russian ambassador to Germany for an explanation.
Rutte stressed that the new NATO mission aimed to send a clear signal of resolve and readiness. “Allies stand united in defending every inch of NATO territory,” he said, noting that the operation would involve fighter jets, air defense systems, and rapid deployment forces stationed across the eastern flank.
The incident marks a dangerous new flashpoint in the war, highlighting the risk of escalation if Russian attacks spill beyond Ukraine’s borders. NATO officials said the swift decision to down the drones and the rapid launch of Eastern Sentry demonstrated the alliance’s ability to respond immediately to threats.
“This mission is about deterrence, assurance, and protection,” Grynkewich said, adding that NATO forces would remain on high alert along the eastern frontier for the foreseeable future.
As Eastern Sentry gets underway, Polish officials said their forces remain on heightened readiness. Tusk reiterated that the country would respond decisively to any future airspace violations.
“We are not looking for escalation, but we will not allow our sovereignty or NATO security to be tested,” he said.
The coming days will be closely watched to see whether Russia challenges the alliance’s expanded presence or backs away from further provocations. For NATO, Eastern Sentry marks its most visible show of force on the eastern flank since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022.
