NATO will activate “Eastern Sentry” to strengthen the defense of Europe’s eastern flank, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Friday, adding that Russia’s actions are increasing in frequency. He stated that forces from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and others will participate in the “Eastern Sentry” mission. “We cannot allow Russian drones to enter allied airspace,” Rutte declared, announcing the “Eastern Sentry” operation. The mission, which begins Friday evening, will include air and ground bases. NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, Alexus Grynkevicius, stated that NATO will defend every inch of alliance territory. “Poland and citizens from across the Alliance should be confident from our swift response earlier this week and our significant announcement here today,” he said.
The NATO Secretary General and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkevicius held a press conference at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, following the incident with Russian drones that violated Polish airspace.
Russian violations in Poland: Tusk responds to Trump
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated today that this week’s drone incursions into his country’s airspace were not due to any Russian mistake, despite US President Donald Trump’s statement that the episode may have been accidental.
“We too would like the drone attack on Poland to have been a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it,” Tusk posted on X.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk also commented on Trump’s statement.
“I believe this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there is no question of a mistake – it was a deliberate Russian attack,” he told Polsat News television.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who is visiting Kiev today, also responded to Trump’s statement.
“On the night that 19 Russian drones entered Polish territory, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles entered Ukraine. These were not mistakes,” he said in a video posted on X.
Following Poland’s request, the UN Security Council will meet today in New York. The session will begin at 15:00 (local time), the Polish Foreign Ministry announced.
