In brief
Poland faced a significant drone attack from Russia, resulting in NATO allies dispatching troops and defense systems to bolster security measures on its eastern border. Amid rising tensions and a scheduled UN Security Council meeting, leaders are discussing enhanced military collaboration.
Several NATO members are sending troops, artillery, and air defense systems to secure its eastern flank after what Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace.
In the early hours of Wednesday, three Russian drones were shot down after crossing into Polish airspace. Other drones crashed to the ground and were later found across eastern Poland.
Poland has requested a UN Security Council session about the incident, which will take place on Friday at 19:00 GMT.
In response to the drone incursion, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic said they would send defences to Poland, while Lithuania would receive a German brigade and greater warning of Russian attacks on Ukraine that could cross over.
Germany also said it would intensify its engagement along NATO's eastern border and extend and expand air policing over Poland.
Later, France's Emmanuel Macron announced the country would send three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Poland's airspace. We will not yield to Russia's growing intimidation, Macron said.
Addressing parliament on Thursday, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz listed the offers of support from Poland's partners, saying the Dutch were going to deploy air defence systems, artillery and 300 troops, while the Czech would send helicopters and 100 soldiers.
He also said the French and the British could deploy aircraft to secure NATO's eastern flank.
Although Russian drones and missiles have trespassed into some NATO member countries before, this was the most serious incident of its kind since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki described the incident as a testing of their capabilities. The Kremlin denied any intention to escalate tensions.
Moving forward, NATO's top military commander noted that it remains unclear whether the act was intentional. Amid increasing anxiety in Eastern Europe regarding Russia, the alliance is taking no chances.
