British fighter jets have conducted their first air defense mission over Poland as part of NATO's Eastern Sentry operation. This initiative aims to bolster the alliance's defenses following recent incursions into NATO airspace by Russian drones and aircraft. UK Defence Minister John Healey emphasized that the mission sends a strong message: "NATO airspace will be defended."

On Friday night, two Royal Air Force Typhoon jets took off from a military base in eastern England. They patrolled Polish airspace to deter and defend against potential aerial threats from Russia, including drones. The jets returned safely to the UK early Saturday morning.

The UK government described this mission as a response to what it termed the "most significant violation" of NATO airspace by Russia since the onset of the war in Ukraine. Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, stated that the British jets are working alongside allies on NATO's eastern flank. "We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range," he said.

In a broader context, the UK government has committed to increasing its defense spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027. This move is seen as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of European nations for not contributing enough to their own defense.

The UK mission coincides with rising tensions in Europe. On Friday, Estonia reported that three Russian military jets had violated its airspace for 12 minutes in what was described as an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion. Healey condemned this action, noting it was the third violation of NATO airspace in recent days.

Russia's Defence Ministry denied the allegations, asserting that its jets operated over neutral waters. Meanwhile, a large-scale missile and drone attack by Russia targeted various regions in Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least three fatalities and numerous injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that attacks occurred across nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv, and described the strikes as a deliberate strategy to intimidate civilians and damage infrastructure.

Regarding the airspace violation, Estonian officials confirmed that the Russian MiG-31 jets entered their airspace near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland. Colonel Ants Kiviselg, commander of Estonia's Military Intelligence Center, stated that it remains to be determined whether the violation was intentional. However, he noted that the Russian pilots must have been aware they were in Estonian airspace. He added that the Russian jets did not pose a "military threat."

The situation continues to evolve as NATO and its member states respond to the ongoing challenges posed by Russian military activities.