Summary: NATO launched Eastern Sentry, an operation to bolster air and missile defences on the alliance’s eastern flank, after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace this week. Poland says the incursion was deliberate, and the UN Security Council will meet at Warsaw’s request.
What happened
NATO’s Secretary‑General announced the mission in Brussels, citing the incursions and pledging rapid reinforcement of air policing and ground‑based air defence. Poland said its forces shot down multiple drones and that the violations “could not have been a mistake.”
Why it matters
- Escalation risk: Any miscalculation over allied territory could trigger treaty obligations. Coordinated defence raises deterrence but also heightens the stakes of error.
- Stockpile & cost: Sustained air defence means higher interceptor burn and budget pressure for NATO states already juggling defence and domestic spending.
Key facts
- Mission: Eastern Sentry to reinforce the eastern flank (air policing + GBAD).
- Diplomacy: UN Security Council session requested by Poland.
- Attribution: Polish officials called the incursion deliberate.
What to watch
Deployment specifics (units, duration), any debris‑forensics released publicly, and whether NATO adjusts rules of engagement for cross‑border drones.