Overview

• Poland reported at least 19 Russian drones crossed its airspace overnight, with Polish F‑16s and Dutch F‑35s intercepting some in a first-of-its-kind NATO action after Warsaw initiated Article 4 consultations.
• Polish officials and analysts identified Gerbera drones — Shahed-like, low-cost UAVs assembled in Russia from Chinese-supplied kits — highlighting costly interceptions likely using AMRAAMs against drones worth a fraction of the price.
• An unnamed NATO officer cited by Die Welt said five drones were on a direct path toward a base used by the alliance to supply Ukraine, a claim that remains unverified.
• Following Ramstein-format talks, Ukraine secured new air-defense systems and continued PURL funding as partners detailed deliveries, including Germany’s two Patriot systems, UK-backed thousands of long-range strike drones, EU ammunition pledges, and IFU shipments of over 1,000 air-defense systems and 600+ uncrewed systems.
• Experts say the episode exposes NATO’s limited capacity against mass, low-cost drone attacks, intensifying calls for a European ‘drone wall’ and integrated defenses as European leaders issued strong condemnations and President Trump offered only a brief, ambiguous post.