NATO nations are currently in a state of conflict with Russia concerning Ukraine, as stated by a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The spokesperson emphasized that NATO’s involvement in supporting the Kyiv government signifies a direct confrontation with Russia, according to comments made to Russian state media. This viewpoint aligns with the Kremlin’s narrative that Western aid to Ukraine equates to active engagement in the conflict.
Recent tensions escalated between NATO’s Eastern European allies and Russia following an incident where 19 Russian drones flew over Poland, with three being intercepted by Polish and NATO aircraft. This event, as highlighted by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, indicates the closest proximity to a major conflict since World War Two due to Russian drones being downed over NATO territory for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In response to the drone incursion, Warsaw invoked NATO’s Article 4, prompting discussions among allies regarding territorial security threats. This move falls short of invoking Article 5, which mandates collective military defense in case of an attack on a member state. The Polish Foreign Minister characterized the drone attacks as a challenge to NATO’s determination by Russia.
Subsequently, a Russian drone breached Romanian airspace during an assault on Ukraine, leading to the scrambling of F-16 fighter jets by Bucharest. The drones were monitored for 50 minutes over NATO territory by Romanian and German aircraft before heading towards Ukrainian airspace. Romania and the UK condemned Russia for violating their airspace, labeling the actions as unacceptable.
In light of these events, NATO announced intentions to deploy additional fighter jets to its eastern borders to safeguard member nations from potential drone assaults. Despite refraining from direct involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, NATO’s decision aims to counter Russia’s increased aggression, as highlighted by the UK’s deployment of RAF Typhoon jets to Poland to join NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” mission.
During an interview with Channel 4 News, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need to respond to Russia’s heightened aggression alongside NATO allies. He cited recent incidents in Kyiv as evidence of escalating Russian hostility, underscoring the importance of a coordinated response with NATO partners. The RAF’s involvement in patrolling Polish skies within the “Eastern Sentry” mission, supported by air-to-air refueling aircraft, signifies a unified effort to address the evolving security challenges in the region.
