NATO condemns Russian airspace violations

NATO Allies have condemned recent airspace violations involving Poland and Romania, blaming Russia for the incidents and pledging further measures to strengthen air and missile defences across the eastern flank.

NATO Allies have condemned recent airspace violations involving Poland and Romania and a series of drone incidents, saying Russia bears responsibility for what the Alliance described as dangerous and unacceptable activity, the UK Defence Journal understands.

The North Atlantic Council met on 12 August to discuss the incidents and the security implications for Allied territory. According to a NATO news update, representatives of the Alliance’s member states expressed their full solidarity with Poland and Romania and reiterated their support for Allies affected by the recent activity. NATO said the violations demonstrated what it described as Russia’s increasing tolerance for risk and made clear that responsibility for the incidents rested with Moscow.

In its statement, the Alliance said: “Allies reiterated that Russia bears full responsibility for the airspace violations, which are dangerous and unacceptable, and demonstrate Russia’s increasing tolerance for risk.” The wording places the incidents within NATO’s broader assessment of Russian military activity around Allied territory, while stopping short of setting out additional details about the individual violations considered by the Council.

The statement added: “NATO Allies made clear that they stand united and resolute in the defence of Allied territory.” It added that the Alliance “continues to strengthen its integrated air and missile defences across the Alliance” and said Allies had underlined measures already taken to bolster defensive arrangements along the eastern flank.

The Council’s discussion also linked the recent incidents with the Alliance’s continuing support for Ukraine. NATO said Allies reaffirmed their backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintained that the incidents would not weaken their commitment to Kyiv. The statement described Ukraine’s security as contributing to the security of the Alliance as a whole.

NATO said: “Allies underscored that they will not be deterred by these and other irresponsible acts by Russia from their enduring commitment to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours.”