Overview

• Russian officials denied deliberate violations and labeled the confrontation with the West a 'fiery' conflict, even as NATO states reported recent jet and drone intrusions over Estonia, Poland and parts of Scandinavia.
• NATO’s debate sharpened after Estonia sought Article 4 consultations, with Secretary General Mark Rutte cautioning that frequent use could dilute the clause’s impact, according to European officials.
• President Vladimir Putin told the Valdai forum that Russia would respond quickly to perceived European provocations and vowed a 'significant' answer to what he called Europe’s militarization.
• President Donald Trump said shooting down intruding aircraft is 'on the table,' but former NATO Allied Commander Transformation Jean‑Paul Paloméros urged restraint, arguing allies should intercept without targeting manned jets.
• NATO has scrambled fighters within minutes, activated consultations and reinforced its eastern posture under Operation Eastern Sentry, while European leaders discussed bolstering short‑ and medium‑range air defenses and counter‑drone systems.