More NATO countries will move troops and fighter jets eastwards after more than a dozen drones entered Polish airspace on Wednesday. Denmark, France, and Germany have joined a new mission to bolster the military alliance's eastern flank. Other NATO allies are expected to take part later.
Tensions have been high across Europe since Poland accused Russia of an unprecedented incursion. Some of the 19 drones that entered Polish territory were shot down, while others crashed into fields and even a house in eastern Poland.
Warsaw said the incursion was deliberate, but Moscow downplayed the incident, saying it had no plans to target facilities in Poland.
Drones and missiles have occasionally veered into countries bordering Ukraine, including Poland, during Russia's full-scale invasion - but this was the most serious incident of its kind since the war began in February 2022. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.
Denmark will contribute two F-16 fighter jets to support Poland's air defense, as well as a warship, its defense ministry said. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated: We must not be naive. Putin will stop at nothing, and he is testing us. Therefore, it is crucial... Denmark is contributing to this.
France has already indicated it will send three Rafale fighter jets, and Germany has pledged four Eurofighters. The UK is fully committed to help strengthen the Eastern Sentry operation, with more details to follow.
On Friday, during an urgent UN Security Council session, European countries and the US expressed support for Poland regarding the airspace violations. The United States stands by our NATO allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations, said acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea.
As the situation escalates, nations like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have also committed to sending defensive resources to Poland, while Belarus and Russia conduct joint military exercises near the border, further complicating the regional security landscape.
Tensions have been high across Europe since Poland accused Russia of an unprecedented incursion. Some of the 19 drones that entered Polish territory were shot down, while others crashed into fields and even a house in eastern Poland.
Warsaw said the incursion was deliberate, but Moscow downplayed the incident, saying it had no plans to target facilities in Poland.
Drones and missiles have occasionally veered into countries bordering Ukraine, including Poland, during Russia's full-scale invasion - but this was the most serious incident of its kind since the war began in February 2022. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.
Denmark will contribute two F-16 fighter jets to support Poland's air defense, as well as a warship, its defense ministry said. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated: We must not be naive. Putin will stop at nothing, and he is testing us. Therefore, it is crucial... Denmark is contributing to this.
France has already indicated it will send three Rafale fighter jets, and Germany has pledged four Eurofighters. The UK is fully committed to help strengthen the Eastern Sentry operation, with more details to follow.
On Friday, during an urgent UN Security Council session, European countries and the US expressed support for Poland regarding the airspace violations. The United States stands by our NATO allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations, said acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea.
As the situation escalates, nations like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have also committed to sending defensive resources to Poland, while Belarus and Russia conduct joint military exercises near the border, further complicating the regional security landscape.
