NATO has initiated a new operation called "Eastern Sentry" to enhance its defense capabilities along its eastern flank. This decision follows a recent incident involving drones that violated Polish airspace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the operation, which aims to create a more integrated defense strategy to better coordinate forces and address vulnerabilities in the region.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich explained that the new defense design will help "plug gaps" in the current system. This announcement comes just two days after NATO shot down Russian drones for the first time since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Rutte noted that the airspace violation was not an isolated event and was more significant than previous breaches.

The timing of this announcement coincides with major military drills being conducted by Russia and Belarus. These exercises, known as "Zapad," have raised concerns among NATO's eastern flank members, including Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, which share borders with Belarus. In response to the drills, Poland has closed its border with Belarus for the duration of the exercises.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed NATO's concerns, stating that the drills are planned and not aimed at any specific country. He emphasized that these exercises are routine, occurring every four years. However, the scale of this year's Zapad is expected to be smaller than in previous years due to the ongoing deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine.

In light of the drone incursion, NATO is preparing measures to bolster deterrence across its eastern flank. Poland has requested additional air defense systems and counter-drone technology from its allies. Several European nations have responded positively, with Germany promising to enhance air policing over Poland and France deploying three Rafale jets to assist in protecting Polish airspace.

Grynkewich stated that NATO aims to move away from individual air policing actions and instead concentrate forces where they are most needed in response to specific threats. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the new NATO initiative will involve both air force capabilities and ground-based air defenses.

The European Union has condemned the airspace violation, labeling it an "intentional violation of the airspace of an EU member state by Russian drones." This incident occurred amid a significant aerial assault on Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the drone incursion "could have been a mistake," a claim that Poland firmly rejected. Rutte condemned the incursion as Russia's "reckless behavior" but stated that it is too early to determine whether the violation was intentional, noting that assessments are still ongoing. He expressed confidence in the U.S. commitment to NATO, stating, "America’s commitment to NATO is ironclad in every sense, there’s no doubt."