NATO moved to strengthen its eastern defenses on Friday after Poland shot down Russian drones that breached its airspace — the first such action by a NATO member during the Ukraine war, Reuters reported.
US called the violation “alarming” and vowed to defend alliance territory, while President Donald Trump suggested the drones may have strayed by mistake. Poland dismissed that, saying Moscow was testing NATO’s response, and urged Washington to show clear solidarity.
NATO chief Mark Rutte condemned the incursions as “reckless and unacceptable” and announced Operation Eastern Sentry, a mission deploying additional fighter jets, ships, and air policing across the alliance’s eastern flank. Denmark, France, Germany, Britain, and Spain are among contributors.
Russia denied targeting Poland, insisting its drones could not have reached Polish territory. Germany and France summoned Russian envoys, while Trump said his patience with Vladimir Putin was “running out fast,” though he held back on new sanctions, according to Reuters.
