NATO tells Russia that it will take all necessary precautions to prevent airspace violations.
BRUSSELS — NATO on Tuesday warned Russia that it would take every necessary step to protect its airspace, following the recent downing of Russian drones over Poland and Estonia’s accusation that Russian fighter jets violated its skies last week.
The Sept. 10 incident in Poland marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Moscow since the Ukraine war began. It alarmed European leaders and sparked concerns over the alliance’s readiness against intensifying Russian aggression.
Estonia’s claim that three Russian warplanes entered its airspace for about 12 minutes last Friday added to those concerns. Moscow has denied the charge.
“Russia must have no illusions: NATO and its allies will use, in line with international law, all necessary military and non-military means to defend ourselves and deter threats from any direction,” the alliance said in a statement.
Reaffirming its commitment to Article 5, NATO emphasized that an attack on one member will be treated as an attack on all. The alliance also reserved the right to decide the “manner, timing, and domain” of its responses.
Asked if NATO would shoot down intruding aircraft, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it would depend on intelligence assessments of intent, armaments, and risks posed to allies, forces, civilians, or infrastructure.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, however, stated Monday that Poland would “without hesitation” destroy any flying objects violating its territory. Not all NATO leaders share that strict stance. Rutte stressed that situations must be judged case by case.
Estonia has invoked Article 4, requesting formal consultations with allies, which Rutte said were fully justified. He also noted it was “too early to conclude” whether a drone sighting that disrupted flights at Copenhagen Airport overnight was linked to Russia.
These repeated airspace incidents have fueled calls for stronger action and cast doubt on NATO’s ability to deter Russia while the war in Ukraine drags on.
They also come at a time when U.S. commitment to Europe’s defense is under scrutiny, as the Trump administration previously warned Europe to take greater responsibility for its own and Ukraine’s security. Meanwhile, U.S. threats of tougher sanctions against Moscow have not been enforced.
At the United Nations, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked: “We see a pattern: Russia is testing our borders, probing our resolve, and destabilizing Europe’s security. They will keep provoking as long as we allow it.”