"By sending a barrage of drones into Polish airspace, Russia is testing Nato's military response and Europe's political resolve to stand behind Ukraine with arms and security guarantees in the event of escalation. The timing can hardly have been a coincidence. Less than a week ago, a 26-nation coalition of the willing led by France and the UK announced an agreement on a reassurance force, intended to help guarantee Ukraine's security after any ceasefire in Russia's relentless war of aggression."
"But the incursion by 19 drones, several of which were shot down, looks like a deliberate test of the west's political will to step up support for Kyiv at a time when European allies are unsure how far they can rely on US backing, given Trump's erratic leadership. It may also have been intended to strike fear into European populations, fuelling anti-war sentiment fanned by populist parties."
"Several European Nato allies were involved in helping the Polish air force intercept the drone intrusion, including an Italian radar plane, Dutch fighter aircraft and German Patriot missiles, according to Nato. This was not the first violation of Nato airspace since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but it was by far the largest. It also targeted a country that has been the main hub for western arms deliveries to Kyiv, as well as a leader in European rearmament."
Russia sent a barrage of 19 drones into Polish airspace, prompting interceptions and several shoot-downs. The incursion coincided with a recent France- and UK-led agreement among 26 nations on a reassurance force to guarantee Ukraine's security after any ceasefire. The Russian defence ministry denied intent to engage targets on Polish territory. The drone attack appears to test NATO's military response and western political will while exploiting uncertainty about US backing under Donald Trump. Several NATO allies assisted Poland, including an Italian radar plane, Dutch fighters and German Patriot missiles. The violation was the largest since 2022 and targeted a key hub for arms deliveries to Kyiv.
#russia-nato-tensions #poland-drone-incursion #ukraine-security-guarantees #european-military-response
Read at www.theguardian.com
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