By-prashant jain|correspondence india
NATO unveiled Operation Eastern Sentry. This follows Russian drones breaching Polish airspace. The incident occurred on September 10, 2025. Secretary General Mark Rutte announced it in Brussels. He called the violation “dangerous and unacceptable.” The operation aims to strengthen Europe’s eastern flank.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gestures as he speaks during a press conference on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on September 12, 2025. NATO will strengthen the defence of its eastern flank, following the intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace this week, announced NATO Secretary on September 12. The Alliance will launch an operation to ‘further strengthen our posture along our eastern flank,’ he stated. (AFP
Russian forces launched up to 21 drones. Nineteen entered Poland from Belarus. Polish officials confirmed the breaches. NATO jets scrambled quickly. They downed three drones. Others crashed in eastern Poland. Debris scattered over hundreds of square miles. All recovered drones were unarmed dummies.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk labeled it an “attack.” He rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim of a possible mistake. “We know it wasn’t,” Tusk said on social media. Warsaw views it as deliberate aggression. Russia denies intent. Its UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said drones lacked range. He accused Poland of hasty blame.
NATO’s response is swift. Eastern Sentry starts soon. It involves assets from multiple allies. Denmark sends two F-16 jets and a frigate. France contributes three Rafale fighters. Germany deploys four Eurofighter jets. The UK joins with air assets. Spain offers support too. US General Alexus Grynkewich leads as Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The operation is flexible. It covers from the High North to the Black Sea. Enhanced surveillance is key. Ground-based air defenses integrate fully. Rapid info-sharing boosts allies. It models Baltic Sentry from earlier this year. That countered sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
Rutte stressed resolve. “We defend every inch of NATO territory,” he said. Grynkewich added unity. “What affects one ally affects us all.” Focus begins in Poland. It can shift as threats emerge. The goal: Keep Russia off guard.
Diplomatic fallout intensifies. At the UN Security Council, the US condemned Russia. Ambassador Dorothy Shea cited disrespect to peace efforts. Poland’s Marcin Bosacki called it a provocation. France summoned Russia’s ambassador. He rejected accusations.
Russia’s war in Ukraine spills over. Drones targeted Ukrainian sites. But they veered into NATO space. This marks the largest airspace violation yet. Experts warn of escalation risks. Senator Dick Durbin urged stronger resolve. European officials push a “Drone Wall” along borders.
Trump warned Putin. His patience is “running out fast.” He spoke with Ukraine’s Zelenskiy. NATO leaders met too. Poland mobilizes 40,000 troops. Borders with Belarus close amid drills.
Eastern Sentry signals deterrence. It counters drone and missile threats. NATO shows readiness. Tensions mount in Eastern Europe. The alliance vows decisive action. Moscow faces a united front. Global stability hangs in balance.