Eastern Sentry: NATO Deploys Additional Forces in Response to Polish Airspace Violation

NATO launched operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen the defense of Europe's eastern flank after Russian drones invaded Polish airspace earlier this week.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Reuters. 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that the goal of operation Eastern Sentry is to demonstrate the Alliance's determination and ability to defend its territory.

“This military activity will commence in the coming days and will involve a range of assets from allies including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and others,” he added.

Although NATO already has significant forces in Eastern Europe, the new operation involves additional military assets, including F-16 and Rafale fighter jets, Eurofighters, and a frigate from Denmark. The exact number of troops involved has not been disclosed.

This decision was made after Russian drones violated Polish airspace. Russia stated that its troops had attacked Ukraine and had no intention of striking Polish territory. Meanwhile, Poland categorically rejected Moscow's claim that the drones had entered accidentally, calling it a deliberate attack.

Mark Rutte, for his part, called Russia's actions “reckless and unacceptable,” regardless of whether they were intentional.

U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich noted that Eastern Sentry is designed as a flexible and integrated operation that allows for a rapid response to threats along the entire eastern flank from the Baltic to Romania and Bulgaria.

"Across the eastern flank, we will constantly adjust and change our posture in a manner that keeps the adversary off guard, but also responds to specific threats as we see them emerging," he stated.

As The Gaze informed earlier, Polish troops will travel to Ukraine to receive training from local instructors on how to counter drones, as Warsaw intensifies cooperation with Kyiv following a series of Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace.