NATO strengthens its eastern border: France sends three Rafales
12 September 08:57
France promptly responded to the incident with the massive violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. President Emmanuel Macron has ordered three Rafale fighter jets to be sent to the neighboring country to strengthen the defense of NATO’s eastern flank. The French president announced this on Twitter, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Paris’ reaction
According to Macron, the decision was made after the aggressor country’s drones crossed Polish airspace 19 times on September 10.
“Following the invasion of Polish airspace by Russian drones, I have decided to send three Rafale fighter jets to strengthen the defense of Polish skies and NATO’s eastern flank, together with our allies,” the French president wrote.
Coordination with partners
The French leader added that he had informed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about the deployment of the fighter jets the day before. He also discussed this issue with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“Yesterday I made this promise to the Prime Minister of Poland. I also discussed this issue with the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who also joined the defense of the eastern flank. The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia’s increasing intimidation,” Macron said.
Context
The drone incident caused a sharp reaction from Warsaw: Poland announced the convening of Article 4 consultations with NATO and closed all border crossings with Belarus.
The deployment of French fighter jets to Poland will be part of the Alliance’s collective response to the growing threats from Moscow.
Russian drone attack on Poland
on September 10, 2025, Poland reported a violation of its airspace by Russian drones during a massive attack on Ukraine.
Drones that could pose a threat were destroyed. The incident took place in several regions of Poland:
- Czosnówka near Biała Podlaska
- A residential building in Wyrzyka, Lublin Oblast
- Near Mnyszkow (Łódź Voivodeship)
- At the cemetery in Ciesznyky (Lubelskie Voivodeship).
As a result of the incident , Poland activated consultations under NATO’s Article 4, which indicates a serious escalation of the situation.
Against this background, journalists asked Donald Trump about his attitude to the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. The US President refused to comment on the situation and ignored the question, continuing on his way to his car.
NATO does not recognize drones in Poland as an attack by Russia
NATO does not consider the intrusion of Russian drones into Poland last night as an attack on an Alliance member state, Reuters reports, citing a NATO source.
According to the source, initial reports indicate “a deliberate intrusion of six to ten Russian drones.”
“This was the first time that NATO aircraft attacked potentially dangerous targets in the ally’s airspace,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the source added, “NATO does not consider the invasion of Russian drones into Poland to be an attack.”
It is indicated that Polish F-16 fighters, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS long-range radar detection aircraft and refueling aircraft under NATO control took part in the drone destruction operation.
Meanwhile, a NATO spokesman released an official statement on the Russian attack:
“Overnight, numerous drones entered Polish airspace and were met by Polish and NATO air defenses. The NATO Secretary General is in contact with the Polish leadership. NATO is in close consultation with Poland”.
