Brussels: NATO has announced the launch of a new mission, “Eastern Sentry,” to reinforce its eastern flank following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. The decision comes after multiple drones, allegedly launched by Russia, crossed into Poland, prompting Polish forces to shoot some of them down.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned the incident as “reckless and unacceptable,” stressing that the alliance would take all necessary measures to protect its territory. The operation will deploy a combination of air and ground assets, with contributions already confirmed from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The mission is set to begin immediately.

Poland has firmly rejected Russia’s claims that the drone incursions were accidental, insisting they were deliberate violations of its sovereignty. Germany responded by expanding its air policing mission over Poland and summoning the Russian ambassador in protest. Meanwhile, Poland has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation.

The United States and other NATO allies reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense, underscoring that every inch of alliance territory would be safeguarded. While specific details on troop numbers and deployment sites have not been disclosed, the move signals a significant step in NATO’s efforts to deter further aggression and strengthen security along its eastern borders.