NATO has announced a new initiative to reinforce security for its eastern members after Russia breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
“NATO is standing up Eastern Sentry to further strengthen our posture along our eastern flank,” Secretary General Mark Rutte said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, speaking alongside NATO’s top commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich.
“This enhanced military activity will begin in the coming days and will include a mix of capabilities from allies, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and Germany,” Rutte added.
The announcement came after a second day of Russian drones entered Polish airspace on Wednesday, prompting NATO to scramble fighter jets to intercept them – a move that underscored fears that Moscow’s three-year war in neighbouring Ukraine could escalate.
Today we announce the launch of “Eastern Sentry” to bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank.
This military activity will involve a range of assets from Allies.
Eastern Sentry will make clear that #NATO is always ready to defend. pic.twitter.com/fcdjdnHX5w
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) September 12, 2025
NATO is still assessing whether Moscow deliberately violated Polish airspace, Rutte said, but stressed that, intentional or not, “it is reckless. It is unacceptable.”
“While the immediate focus is on Poland, this issue is bigger than one country. An attack on one ally is an attack on all of us,” General Grynkewich said. “Eastern Sentry will be flexible and agile, providing even more tailored deterrence and defence exactly when and where needed,” he added.
Russia has said that its forces were targeting Ukraine when the drones entered Polish airspace, insisting they had no intention of striking inside Poland.
Mission to start on Friday evening, more nations expected to join
The mission, due to begin on Friday evening, will see the alliance draw on both air and ground assets from across its bases. In addition to the four nations already committed, Rutte said further allies were expected to contribute.
Earlier on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would send three Rafale fighters to Poland.
“The security of the European continent is our priority. We will not be intimidated by the growing aggressiveness of Russia,” Macron said on X.
The United Nations Security Council also held an emergency meeting on Friday at Poland’s request.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz thanked NATO for its “decisive action and decisions in response to Russia’s aggressive policy”. He added: “This is not only a strategic decision but also an expression of responsibility for the security of the entire eastern flank of the alliance.”
US and allies condemn Moscow
Washington and its European allies voiced concern over the incident, accusing Moscow of violating international law and the UN Charter.
In a joint statement read by Poland’s Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki before the Security Council, 43 countries called on Russia to “cease its war of aggression against Ukraine” and avoid further provocations.
The United States reinforced its commitment to defend NATO territory. “The United States stands with our NATO allies in the face of these brazen and deeply alarming violations of sovereign airspace,” acting US ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the 15-member body.
Shea also noted that Russia had stepped up its bombing campaign against Ukraine immediately after US President Donald Trump met Vladimir Putin in Alaska in an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire.
“These actions, now including the brazen violation of the sovereign airspace of a US ally – whether intentional or not – is evidence of the complete disrespect Russia has for good-faith US efforts to bring an end to this conflict,” she said.
Her remarks, along with the joint statement by 43 nations, came a day after Trump suggested the drone incursion “could have been a mistake”. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded on X: “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it.”
Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also addressed the council on Friday, telling members that “there were no targets marked on Polish territory”.
“The maximum range of the drones used in this strike did not exceed 700km, which makes it physically impossible for them to have reached Polish territory,” he argued.
Poland’s Bosacki rejected that claim, presenting photographs of a downed drone with visible Russian markings. “The incursion was no mistake,” he said. “Poland will not be intimidated.”
