NATO Launches Operation Eastern Sentry After Russian Drone Incursions Into Poland
NATO has launched Operation Eastern Sentry to reinforce its eastern flank following the September 10 violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones -- the largest such breach of NATO territory to date. Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking alongside Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich in Brussels, said the new activity “will add flexibility and strength to our posture” by combining traditional deployments with cutting-edge counter-drone technologies.
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| Operation Eastern Sentry Announcement. Via Defence Minister Netherlands |
General Grynkewich said the incursions “are not an isolated incident and impact more than just Poland,” stressing that NATO “is not waiting, we are acting.”
He underlined that Eastern Sentry is designed to deliver “more focused and flexible deterrence and defence where and when needed to protect our people and deter against further reckless and dangerous acts like what occurred earlier this week.”
The multi-domain operation, to be run by Allied Command Operations from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), will include land, air, sea, and cyber elements.
It follows Article 4 consultations requested by Poland, during which Allies expressed solidarity and condemned Russia’s “recklessness in the air along our eastern flank.”
Today we announce the launch of “Eastern Sentry” to bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank.
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) September 12, 2025
This military activity will involve a range of assets from Allies.
Eastern Sentry will make clear that #NATO is always ready to defend. pic.twitter.com/fcdjdnHX5w
Member states have already begun confirming contributions. The Netherlands has deployed four F-35s to Poland, with Patriots, NASAMS and counter-drone systems arriving in December. Denmark will send two F-16s and an anti-air warfare frigate; France is deploying three Rafales; Germany four Eurofighters; while the UK has signalled readiness to join.
NATO said contributions will reinforce existing forward land forces already stationed across eight countries, with plans in place to scale up further if needed.
Violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones is unacceptable.
— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) September 12, 2025
We welcome NATO’s Operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen the eastern flank.
This aligns with the Dutch commitment in Poland: 4 F-35s now, and more air defence (Patriots, NASAMS, counter drones) coming in December. pic.twitter.com/Yi5hyx6ozn
The operation will also integrate rapid experimentation from Allied Command Transformation, applying lessons from Baltic Sentry to field new technologies such as advanced sensors and weapons to detect, track and neutralise drones.
❝This military activity will commence in the coming days and will involve a range of assets from Allies including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and others❞
— NATO (@NATO) September 12, 2025
- @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte announces Eastern Sentry
Watch the joint press conference ↓
NATO emphasised that protecting airspace and critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea remains central to its mission.
@NATO announced EASTERN SENTRY today in response to the latest events this week.
— SHAPE - NATO Allied Command Operations (@SHAPE_NATO) September 12, 2025
Read more about NATO’s reaction with the official release on our website.https://t.co/mGtRAf2s7E https://t.co/oDJD9o7qQ3 pic.twitter.com/8xXWHVy7GL
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the airspace violation was “unacceptable” and welcomed the new operation, aligning it with his country’s deployments in Poland. “This is our commitment on the eastern flank,” he said.
.@SecGenNATO Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen Alexus G. Grynkewich announced the launch of “Eastern Sentry", a military activity aimed to bolster #NATO’s posture along the eastern flank.
— NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) September 12, 2025
➡️ Read: https://t.co/6KX2yA8eDj pic.twitter.com/g3lqru186B
Rutte summed up NATO’s stance: “We will deter aggression and defend every Ally. What happened on Wednesday was the largest concentration of violations of NATO airspace, but it was not isolated. Russia’s recklessness is increasing in frequency, and NATO will respond.”
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