NATO announced Friday a major reinforcement of its eastern flank along Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine following a Russian drone incursion into Polish territory. The operation, named Eastern Sentry, will deploy French Rafale and Danish F-16 fighter jets, a frigate, and ground-based defense systems to strengthen air policing and improve communications across NATO’s eastern defenses.
Key NATO statements:
- Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Commander in Europe: “The key to this is an entirely new defense design,” ensuring forces can be concentrated where needed.
- French President Emmanuel Macron pledged three Rafale jets to Poland and emphasized European security against Russian intimidation.
- Britain imposed sanctions on 70 vessels and 30 companies/individuals supplying Russia with war materiel, targeting Moscow’s oil revenues and military supply chain.
Ukraine and international support:
- British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv to show solidarity, highlighting a tenfold increase in Russian drone attacks in recent months.
- Prince Harry visited wounded Ukrainian service members.
- Poland and Denmark are cooperating with Ukraine on defense industry development and anti-drone training.
Russian and Ukrainian actions:
- Russia launched joint military exercises with Belarus, reinforcing its military presence.
- Ukrainian drones targeted Primorsk, Russia’s largest oil port, a hub for the “shadow fleet” that bypasses sanctions, though Russian air defenses downed 221 drones.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia will stop only when its war resources are exhausted.
Polish officials reject claims that the drone incursion was accidental, calling it a deliberate provocation.
