Several NATO countries are to send more troops, artillery and air defence equipment to the alliance’s eastern flank after Russian drones entered Polish airspace, the BBC reported.
Early on the morning of the 10th of September, Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace and three were shot down. Poland has requested a UN Security Council meeting on the 12th of September.
In response to the incident, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have announced they will send defence forces to Poland, while a German army brigade will be sent to Lithuania. Germany has also announced it will increase its involvement in protecting NATO’s eastern border and expand and extend air patrols in Polish airspace. French President Emmanuel Macron said three Rafale fighter jets would be sent to Poland.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who has been trying unsuccessfully for months to end the war in Ukraine, told reporters on the 11th of September that the alleged airspace violation was most likely accidental. He said he was not happy with the situation.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosciuszko-Kamiś, addressing the Polish parliament on the 11th of September, listed offers of support from Poland’s partner countries. “Poland has repeatedly heard words of solidarity and empty gestures throughout its history.
Today, we have concrete declarations,”
the minister said.
While Russian drones have crossed NATO airspace before, this is the most serious incident since Moscow launched a full-scale war in Ukraine three and a half years ago. The Kremlin said it would no longer comment on allegations of deliberate drone attacks on Polish territory.
Meanwhile, many European and Polish politicians believe that the drones were sent into Polish airspace on purpose. Polish President Karol Nawrocki said that this Russian provocation is an attempt to test Poland’s capabilities.
Experts’ opinions are still divided. NATO’s military commander Alexus Grynkewich admitted that it is not yet known whether the violation was intentional, and added that the exact number of drones that flew into Poland still needs to be determined. However, given the growing concern, neither NATO nor Poland wants to take any risks.
Warsaw will introduce strict restrictions on the use of drones and small aircraft on its eastern border
with Belarus and Ukraine, while Latvia has closed its airspace along its eastern border for a week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to help with advice and training, given that the Ukrainian army is repelling Russian airstrikes every night. He has also called for the creation of a joint air defense system to form a “dome” in the European skies.
Adding to the concern is the fact that Russia is launching military exercises “Zapad” on the 12th of September, which simulate a clash with NATO. Poland has already closed its land border with Belarus precisely because of the threat posed by the exercises. Russia, in turn, has called for the border to be reopened so as not to harm business and not to restrict freedom of movement.
The previous “Zapad” exercises took place a few months before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and about 200,000 soldiers participated in them. According to data from the Lithuanian military intelligence service, this time the exercises will be smaller, with about 30,000 soldiers participating.
Read also: Latvia closes airspace near Eastern border after drone incident in Poland