Rutte explains why NATO isn't shooting down Russian planes and drones over Europe
Photo: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
NATO countries are much stronger than Russia, and its planes and drones have not been and will not be shot down in the airspace of Alliance countries until they pose a threat, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to him, NATO’s position regarding Moscow’s provocations is to cautiously remove Russian aviation objects from Alliance airspace until they pose a threat.
“It’s a proportional response — we are so much stronger than the Russians.If we were weak, maybe we’d shoot them down immediately, but being stronger, our reaction is proportionate,” Rutte said.
Drone incursions into NATO airspace
Over the past month, unidentified drones have massively violated the airspace of Alliance member countries. Unmanned aerial vehicles were recorded over military facilities, infrastructure sites, as well as civilian and military airports.
Drones were detected in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Poland. Romania and Bulgaria are also no exception.
Because of the flights of unidentified drones, NATO countries were forced to suspend operations at civilian airports.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, most of these drones were launched from tankers of Russia’s shadow fleet.
NATO and US reaction
Last month NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that NATO would decide on the use of force against aircraft or drones that violate Alliance airspace based on intelligence about the level of threat.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian planes that violate Alliance members’ airspace. To which the NATO Secretary General replied that the military will shoot down planes and drones violating airspace only when it is necessary.
