Brussels [Belgium], September 14: NATO is launching a new initiative to protect its eastern European members following Russia's violation of Polish airspace, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday.
The new mission will "bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank," said Rutte, speaking alongside NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich, and will involve a range of assets from several NATO members.
"Our assessment of the incidents on Wednesday is ongoing and whether or not Russia's actions were deliberate, Russia violated NATO airspace," Rutte said, about the incident in which 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
"Whether intentional or not, it is dangerous and unacceptable," he added.
Polish Defence Minister Wtadystaw Kosiniak-Kamysz thanked the alliance for its swift response. "This is an expression of responsibility for the security of the entire eastern flank of the alliance. It is active deterrence and defence readiness where it is needed," he said in a post on X.
The drones entered Poland late Tuesday and early Wednesday during attacks on neighbouring Ukraine, prompting a scramble by the Polish Air Force and NATO forces to shoot down the unmanned aircraft.
Source: Qatar Tribune
