Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles experienced GPS “interference” on her military aircraft Wednesday morning while flying over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad en route to Lithuania. The incident was confirmed by the Spanish Defense Ministry, validating a Europa Press report, according to Reuters.
Trump’s message on NATO countries shooting down Russian aircraft
This news comes in the wake of yesterday’s statements at the UN General Assembly in New York by US President Donald Trump, who spoke openly about the possibility of NATO countries shooting down Russian aircraft. These statements came shortly after his speech, where he had already announced tougher sanctions against Moscow. Specifically, during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump clearly responded that he considers it justified for Alliance member states to shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace. “Yes, I believe it,” he said without hesitation, though leaving open the question of whether the United States would participate in such action. “It depends on the circumstances,” he emphasized, adding that the US “stands with NATO” and expressing respect for Ukraine’s struggle.
The barrage of alleged Russian actions “adding fuel to the fire”
Concern is intensifying as recent violation incidents have raised alarm bells across Europe. Last week, three Russian MiG-31s entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, while just days earlier, Russian drones and fighters had crossed Polish airspace, forcing immediate scrambling of F-15 and F-35 aircraft.
European allies responded with a stern warning: in an emergency UN Security Council session, they declared they would shoot down any Russian aircraft or drone that dares to enter NATO airspace again.
The crisis deepens and rhetoric hardens, with Trump’s statements adding fuel to the fire of an already explosive situation.
