NATO leaders are weighing a significant change in their posture toward Russia after a surge of airspace violations across the alliance’s eastern flank. In recent weeks, Russian aircraft — mostly drones but also fighter jets — have repeatedly intruded into NATO territory, from Poland and Romania to Latvia and Estonia. On Sept. 10, Poland shot […]
Menej ako 1 min. min.
NATO leaders are weighing a significant change in their posture toward Russia after a surge of airspace violations across the alliance’s eastern flank. In recent weeks, Russian aircraft — mostly drones but also fighter jets — have repeatedly intruded into NATO territory, from Poland and Romania to Latvia and Estonia.
On Sept. 10, Poland shot down more than a dozen drones, some of which appeared to be heading toward the U.S. F-35 base at Lask. Romania’s Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu told the Warsaw Security Forum such incidents have become routine.
“We just found another drone, another Russian drone that fell down on our territory in the Danube Delta. And this is a common thing for the last three and a half years,” he said.
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Norway’s Defense Minister Tore Sandvik reported similar concerns, citing repeated violations in the far north. While he noted some incidents may be caused by poor navigation, Sandvik called Russia’s behavior “reckless.”
Fighter jet incursions raise tensions further
Though drones account for most recent violations, Russian MiG-31 fighters briefly entered Estonian airspace earlier this month in what officials now say was a deeper incursion than first reported. NATO fighters intercepted the jets after they flew over Estonia for about 12 minutes, sparking alarm in Tallinn and among alliance commanders.
Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs argued NATO’s current “air policing” mission is no longer enough. “We need a shift in approach from air policing to an actual air defence mission,” he told Estonian broadcaster ERR.
Zelenskyy accuses Russia of using ‘Shadow Fleet’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using its so-called “shadow fleet” of aging oil tankers to launch and control drones targeting European cities from the Baltic Sea. Russia denied the claim, alternately blaming faulty navigation or rejecting the allegations outright.
Zelenskyy urged further sanctions on the tanker fleet, which operates under obscure flags and has been central to Russia’s evasion of energy restrictions.
“This is further evidence that the Baltic Sea and other seas should be closed to Russian tankers, at least for the shadow fleet,” Zelenskyy said.
NATO weighs response options
The repeated violations prompted some allies to push for tougher rules of engagement. Under current air policing, NATO jets typically intercept and escort intruding Russian aircraft back into international airspace. A shift to air defense would allow for more aggressive measures, including the possibility of shooting down intruding aircraft.
Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, confirmed in Riga moving from policing to defense is “an option,” though he cautioned it was too early for a final decision.
“Considering that these incursions are pretty recent events, all of them are still under investigation… it is still premature,” Dragone said.
Not all NATO members support such a shift, fearing escalation with Moscow. Yet political momentum appears to be building. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed the idea of shooting down intruding Russian aircraft, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said such action would be “an appropriate response if necessary.”
Building a ‘drone wall’
Several NATO and EU member states are already moving ahead with new defensive measures. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are working with Brussels to establish a “drone wall” along their external borders. The plan would layer radar, acoustic sensors, anti-drone weapons and advanced air defenses ranging from machine guns to Patriot missile batteries.
The United Kingdom announced a program to mass-produce drones for NATO and Ukraine under “Project Octopus,” while Germany deployed an air defense frigate and anti-drone units to protect high-profile summits in Copenhagen.
NATO’s stance going forward
After meeting in Riga, NATO’s Military Committee stressed the alliance would not hesitate to defend its territory.
“Every threat to NATO’s air, land and sea space will be dealt with a resolute and proportionate response. We are ready!” Dragone said.
Whether that response will soon include the authority to shoot down Russian aircraft remains undecided. But with repeated incursions testing NATO’s eastern borders, the alliance faces growing pressure to turn its air policing mission into a true air defense strategy.
contributed to this report.
