NATO Secretary General Rutte announced in Brussels on the 12th that NATO will launch a military operation codenamed “Eastern Sentinel” to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and defense posture on its eastern flank.
At a press conference, Rutte stated that multiple countries, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, will dispatch troops and equipment to participate in Operation “Eastern Sentinel.”
According to a statement from NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, this multidomain military operation will be launched in the coming days, with its duration yet to be determined. Denmark will deploy two F-16 fighter jets and a guided-missile frigate; France will send three Rafale fighter jets; Germany will also provide four Typhoon fighter jets. NATO will also rapidly test and deploy several new technologies across the entire alliance, including anti-drone sensors and specialized weapons for detecting, tracking, and shooting down drones.
Previously, several Russian drones flew over Poland on the night of the 9th, and NATO dispatched fighters to shoot them down, highlighting lingering concerns about the possible expansion of Russia’s three-year war in neighboring Ukraine.
Rutte said NATO is still assessing whether Russia deliberately violated Polish airspace, but he reiterated that, regardless, “this is reckless. This is unacceptable.”
On the 11th, Trump said at the White House in response to reporters, “the entry of Russian drones into Poland may have been a mistake.”
Russia stated that its forces were attacking Ukraine when the drone incursion occurred and had no intention of striking any targets within Poland.
Security Council Convenes Emergency Meeting
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on the 12th to discuss the issue of Russian drones intruding into Polish airspace.
U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Shea, told the Security Council, “The United States stands with its NATO allies.”
Polish State Secretary Bosacki told the Security Council: “We know, let me repeat, we know the drone incursion was not a mistake.”
Drones with Russian Writings
Bosacki presented several photos to the Security Council, indicating that parts of the downed drones bore Russian inscriptions. He also said: “Poland will not be intimidated.”
On the 12th, the United States and its Western allies also issued a joint statement expressing concern over the Russian drone incursion and accusing Moscow of violating international law and the UN Charter. Prior to the Security Council meeting, Bosacki read this joint statement and called on Russia to stop its “war of aggression against Ukraine” and cease further provocations.
This joint statement was supported by 43 countries.