Overview
- Petr Pavel told The Times of London that if Russian breaches persist, European countries may need to use stronger measures, including shooting down aircraft or drones.
- Pavel said the incursions are intentional and designed to demonstrate capability, test Western air defenses, and gauge Europe’s resolve to act in self‑defense.
- Recent disruptions tied to drones and unidentified objects affected civilian aviation, including at Copenhagen and Munich airports this autumn.
- Earlier incidents include Polish forces shooting down drones that crossed into Poland on Sept. 10 and three Russian MiG‑31s entering Estonian airspace near Vaindloo on Sept. 19.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called the pattern a large‑scale provocation by Moscow, while Romania has authorized its military to down drones that breach its airspace and pressed for a more robust NATO response.