NATO is stepping up its presence in Eastern Europe after more than a dozen Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace this week, sparking fears of
escalation.
On Wednesday, at least 19 drones entered Poland. Some were shot down, while others crashed into fields and even struck a house in the east of the country. Warsaw called the incident a deliberate provocation, while Moscow dismissed it as accidental and insisted it had “no plans to target Poland.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the breach “the closest we’ve been to open conflict since World War Two.”
NATO’s response
Several allies have already pledged military support:
- Denmark is sending two F-16 fighter jets and a warship.
- France will deploy three Rafale jets.
- Germany is adding four Eurofighters.
- The UK confirmed it will back the mission, with details expected soon.
The reinforcements will join Poland’s air defense efforts under NATO’s new Eastern Sentry operation, aimed at deterring further Russian incursions.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen summed up the mood bluntly: “Putin will stop at nothing, and he is testing us. That’s why Denmark must contribute.”
International outrage
The U.S. and European nations strongly backed Poland during an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York on Friday.
Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea declared: “We will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
This comes amid heightened tensions. Since last month’s Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, Russia has escalated bombing campaigns against Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has struck targets deeper inside Russia.
Russia denies responsibility
Moscow continues to deny deliberately targeting Poland. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blamed Western allies for stalling peace talks, while Russia’s UN ambassador claimed the drones could not have physically reached Poland due to their limited range.
Belarus, Russia’s closest ally, suggested the drones were thrown off course by jamming systems.
Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus launched their regular joint military drills on Friday, staging exercises near Poland and Lithuania. They dismissed Western concerns, saying the drills were “not a threat.”
What’s next
Other NATO members, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Lithuania, are preparing additional reinforcements. A German brigade will also be stationed in Lithuania, with early-warning systems to monitor Russian strikes near its borders.
For Poland, the message is clear. Holding up a photo of a damaged house at the UN, Polish Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki told delegates: “We know — and I repeat — we know this was not a mistake.” Photo by Capt. Tana R.H. Stevenson, U.S. Air Force, Wikimedia commons.