Rutte mentioned that “Eastern Sentry” will boost our flexibility and bolster our strength, demonstrating that as a defensive alliance, we are perpetually prepared to defend.

Rutte said that Russia’s “dangerous and unacceptable” drone incursion on Wednesday was “not an isolated incident.”

“Russia’s recklessness in the air, along our eastern flank, is increasing in frequency,” Rutte said.

According to US General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s leader in Europe, the operation will be “versatile and adaptable,” featuring improved capabilities, unified air and ground defenses, and enhanced information sharing among NATO allies.

Grynkewich emphasized that while the primary attention is on Poland, this issue extends beyond the borders of a single nation; anything impacting one member affects everyone.

He assured that Polish people and others across the Alliance should feel secure with this swift action taken earlier and today’s major announcement.

“NATO will continue to defend every inch of its territory.”

Drone incursion ‘wasn’t’ a mistake

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk labeled the Russian drone’s penetration of Polish airspace as an “attack,” asserting it was deliberate, contrasting with US President Donald Trump’s earlier comments suggesting the violation might have been a mistake.

Poland has information indicating that Russia launched as many as 21 drones at the country on Wednesday, but not all were found, the head of Poland’s presidential International Policy Office, Marcin Przydacz, told local media.

It’s possible that some drones went back and forth crossing the airspace, Przydacz said in an interview with Radio ZET on Friday.

Polish officials previously said that there were 19 intrusions of the country’s airspace, and that a large proportion of the drones entered from Belarus.

A total of 16 drones were found throughout the country, Poland’s interior minister said on Wednesday.

The locations where the debris was found span an area of hundreds of square miles.

It comes after Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that it “could have been a mistake, but regardless, I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation, but hopefully it’s going to come to an end.”

Rutte said that NATO’s assessment of Wednesday’s incursion is ongoing.

“Whether or not Russia’s actions were deliberate, Russia violated NATO airspace. Therefore, we must, as NATO, make clear our resolve and our ability to defend our territory,” he said.

“And that is exactly what Eastern Sentry is designed to do.”