NATO refuses to call Russian drone flights into Poland attack - Reuters
Photo: NATO countries scrambled F-35s to shoot down a dozen Russian drones (Getty Images)
NATO does not consider the Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace as an attack, Reuters reports.
A source in the alliance told the media outlet that preliminary data indicate a deliberate entry of six to ten Russian drones.
“It was the first time NATO aircraft have engaged potential threats allied airspace,” the source said
Actions by the allies
The source clarified that Patriot air defense systems deployed in the region detected the drones using radar, but were not used to engage the targets.
Polish F-16 fighter jets, Dutch F-35, Italian AWACS surveillance planes, and mid-air refueling aircraft jointly operated by NATO were involved in the overnight operation.
Attack by Russian Shahed UAVs
Russian Shahed drones violated Polish airspace on the night of September 10. According to Ukraine, there were eight UAVs. This occurred during a massive Russian attack on Ukraine involving 415 drones and 40 missiles.
For the first time, a NATO country shot down Russian drones over its territory.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated that the European airspace violation by Russia was intentional, not accidental.
In addition, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the attack a large-scale provocation.
