NATO warns Russia against ‘dangerous pattern’ of airspace violations

NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to ward off threats after several incidents in recent weeks where Russian jets or drones entered the airspace of NATO members.

NATO members met for consultations in Brussels after three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace last week, and a large number of Russian drones penetrated Polish airspace earlier in the month. Romania has also recorded a Russian drone entering its airspace this month.

“Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions,” a joint statement issued after the meeting read.

“We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad.”

NATO members that are subject to an armed attack can request military assistance under Article 5 of the alliance’s treaty.

“We do not want to see a continuation of this dangerous pattern by Russia, intentional or not,” NATO Secretary Mark Rutte told journalists in Brussels.

Rutte: decision to respond with fire ‘taken in real-time’

Pressed by a journalist if NATO would shoot down Russian aircraft in allied airspace, Rutte said that “the decisions on whether to engage intruding aircraft, such as firing upon them, are taken in real-time.”

They “are always based on available intelligence regarding the threat posed by the aircraft, including questions we have to answer, like intent, armament, and potential risk to allied forces, civilians or infrastructure,” he said.

“In the latest airspace violation we discussed today, in Estonia, NATO forces promptly intercepted and escorted the aircraft without escalation as no immediate threat was assessed,” Rutte added.

New NATO mission for better air surveillance

Earlier this month NATO launched a new initiative to better protect the airspace its eastern European members following Russia’s violation of Polish airspace.

The new mission dubbed “Eastern sentry” will involve a range of assets from allies, including Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Germany, and others.

“In addition to more traditional military capabilities, this effort will also feature elements designed to address the particular challenges associated with the use of drones,” Rutte said when announcing the mission.