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UK and Poland vow firm response to Russian airspace incursions
European allies have issued strong warnings to Moscow after a series of airspace violations allegedly carried out by Russian aircraft and drones. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Poland and the United Kingdom stressed that they would shoot down any Russian aircraft entering Nato airspace without authorization.
Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski declared that there would be “no debate” if an unauthorized object crossed into Polish skies. His statement came after Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 jets violated its airspace for more than ten minutes, while Poland and Romania recently intercepted Russian drones.
British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper described the incidents as “dangerous and reckless,” pledging that the UK and Nato were prepared to defend the alliance’s territory. Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also warned that Russia was acting “with impunity” in Eastern Europe.
Estonia presented radar data and photographs of the Russian jets, calling the incident a “clear violation of sovereignty.” Moscow, however, rejected the claims, arguing that Tallinn had failed to provide objective evidence. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations as “unfounded.”
The United States expressed solidarity with its allies, with ambassador Mike Waltz assuring that Washington would “defend every inch of Nato territory.” Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin maintained a dual message, emphasizing a desire to avoid an arms race while also warning that Russia could respond with “military-technical measures” if threatened.