"In a swift response, NATO announced that it is bolstering it's eastern flank defenses. Germany is expanding air policing over Poland. France is sending 3 Rafale fighter jets and The Netherlands is sending two Patriot air defenses, NASAMS and counter drone systems to Warsaw. The Czech Republic is sending additional helicopters and up to 150 soldiers to help defend Poland's borders. In this expert weekend interview, The Cipher Brief spoke with General David Petraus (Ret.) who was on the ground in Kyiv this week, talking with senior leaders - not only about the seriousness of Russia's incursion into NATO territory - but also about how technology continues to dramatically alter the battlespace in Ukraine and how Moscow is now using its troops on the ground."
"Around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on September 9 forcing the temporary closure of several airports. Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s downed some of the drones, with NATO aerial refueling and C2 support. Russia said the drones were enroute to Ukraine and were not pursuing targets inside of Poland. Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO Treaty to trigger allied consultation on response. The North Atlantic Council met on September 10 to discuss the situation and denounced Russia. Europe broadly condemned the incursion."
"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the incursion "reckless and unacceptable" and warned that the alliance will "defend every inch of NATO territory." Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewoch said the alliance will "learn lessons" and improve readiness in response. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said "indications suggest [the incursion] was intentional, not accidental." German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the drones "were quite obviously deliberately directed on this course." After President Donald Trump suggested the incursion may have been a mistake, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on"
NATO and multiple European allies moved quickly to strengthen Poland's eastern defenses after Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Germany expanded air policing, France sent Rafale jets, the Netherlands deployed Patriot systems, NASAMS and counter-drone equipment, and the Czech Republic sent helicopters and up to 150 soldiers. Polish and Dutch jets shot down some drones with NATO aerial refueling and command-and-control support. Russia claimed the drones were en route to Ukraine. Poland invoked Article 4, NATO denounced the incursion, European leaders called it intentional and unacceptable, and allied commanders pledged to learn lessons and improve readiness. General David Petraus (Ret.) emphasized technological changes to the battlespace and Moscow's evolving ground tactics.
Read at The Cipher Brief
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