How Does NATO Plan To Deter Russia? Operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ Explained

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 12:22 IST

The operation comes after Russian drones violated Polish airspace, prompting NATO to expand defences across its eastern flank

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus G. Grynkewich attend a press conference at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (REUTERS)

In a sharp escalation of tensions in Eastern Europe, NATO has announced a new defence mission called Eastern Sentry. The 32-member alliance said the operation will cover its entire eastern flank, stretching from the Arctic to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, after Russian drones entered Polish airspace earlier this week.

The move is meant to show Moscow that any violation of allied territory, deliberate or not, will bring a united response. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the drone incident as “dangerous and unacceptable," while Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it nothing less than an “attack."

So what exactly is Eastern Sentry, and why has NATO launched it now?

What Triggered Eastern Sentry?

On Wednesday, Polish officials reported that multiple drones linked to Russia had crossed into their skies, with debris found across hundreds of square miles. According to Poland’s interior ministry, up to 21 drones were launched, 19 breaches of airspace confirmed, and 16 wreckages recovered. Many appear to have entered from Belarus.

Marcin Przydacz, head of Poland’s presidential International Policy Office, said some drones may even have crossed in and out of Polish territory several times, making them harder to detect.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the violation as an “attack." In a social media post, he said, “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it." His comments contrasted sharply with US President Donald Trump, who suggested the breach “could have been a mistake," while adding that he was “not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation."

NATO chief Mark Rutte called the incursion a “dangerous and unacceptable" breach and said Russia’s “recklessness in the air" was becoming more frequent. “Whether or not Russia’s actions were deliberate, Russia violated NATO airspace," he said, stressing that the alliance had to show its resolve.

What Does The Operation Involve?

Unveiled on Friday, Eastern Sentry is NATO’s newest defensive initiative. It is designed to reassure members along the alliance’s eastern border, which runs from the High North to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

US General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, described the mission as “flexible and agile." In simple terms, that means deploying not just fighter jets but also warships, ground-based missile defences and radar, combined with intelligence-sharing across NATO capitals.

Grynkewich added that Eastern Sentry would include new counter-drone sensors and weapons, a direct response to the kind of threat Poland just faced. “Although the immediacy of our focus is on Poland, this situation transcends the border of one nation. What affects one ally affects us all," he said.

While it will take time for the mission to be fully built, NATO said initial deployments would begin immediately. The operation is modelled on Baltic Sentry, launched earlier this year after suspected sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.

Which Countries Are Contributing?

Several NATO members have already pledged assets for Eastern Sentry:

• Denmark: Two F-16 fighter jets and an anti-air warfare frigate.
• France: Three Rafale fighter jets.
• Germany: Four Eurofighter jets.
• United Kingdom: Expressed readiness to contribute forces, though details are still being finalised.

NATO has emphasised that the mission will not rely on fixed deployments but will rotate assets depending on emerging threats, making it harder for Russia to anticipate the alliance’s moves.

How Has Poland Reacted?

For Poland, the drone incursions are not merely technical violations but signs of deliberate escalation by Moscow. Prime Minister Tusk’s labelling of the incident as an “attack" reflects Warsaw’s hardening stance.

Poland’s foreign ministry and defence officials have urged NATO to maintain heightened vigilance. At the United Nations, Poland’s Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki warned that Russia’s provocation was “profoundly disrespectful toward the collective and tireless efforts of the international community to bring an end to the war and to restore peace and stability in accordance with international law."

What Has Russia Said?

Moscow has flatly rejected the allegations. Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya told the Security Council that Poland had “hastily blamed" Russia without evidence, insisting that the drones involved lacked the range to reach Polish territory.

France took a sharper approach. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot summoned Russia’s ambassador in Paris for an explanation. Russian state media later quoted the ambassador as saying he “categorically rejected" the accusations.

Despite these denials, NATO insists the violation is real and cannot go unanswered.

Why Eastern Sentry Matters for NATO

Eastern Sentry is more than just a symbolic move. By mobilising fighter jets, naval vessels and counter-drone technology across its eastern frontier, NATO is showing that breaches of its territory will trigger collective military action.

It also reflects how the alliance is adapting to new threats. Drones are cheap, harder to detect and easy to deploy in large numbers, making them an effective tool for Russia to test NATO defences. By folding counter-drone systems into the operation, NATO is signalling it is learning from recent provocations.

Strategically, the initiative underscores the credibility of NATO’s Article 5 guarantee, that an attack on one ally will be treated as an attack on all. By treating the Polish drone incursion as more than a bilateral issue, NATO has made clear that its eastern frontier will not be left vulnerable.

For Moscow, the message is equally direct: probing NATO’s borders carries the risk of immediate military reinforcement across a vast stretch of territory.

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...

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