NATO ALLIES PLEDGE ROBUST DEFENSE AGAINST RUSSIAN AIR INCURSIONS

Fri 26 September 2025:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged on Thursday that NATO allies will take all necessary measures to counter Russia’s suspected airspace violations and espionage activities.

In a press conference held in the central German city of Weimar, Merz accused Russia of conducting systematic NATO airspace violations, provocative overflights, drone incursions, and espionage activities targeting alliance members.

“We will not allow these violations to continue, and we will take all necessary measures to effectively deter these airspace violations and attacks by the Russian army,” Merz said, adding that he was in constant contact with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius regarding the matter.

“Over the weekend, I asked our defense minister to coordinate with our NATO allies — specifically his counterparts in Poland, France, and the UK — on how we should respond to these. NATO’s statements from yesterday and the day before were absolutely appropriate,” he said, referring to remarks made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

In remarks following a North Atlantic Council meeting on Tuesday, Rutte firmly condemned Russia’s recent actions, calling them dangerous escalations that risk miscalculation and endanger lives. “We do not want to see a continuation of this dangerous pattern by Russia-intentional or not. But we stand ready and willing to continue to defend every inch of allied territory,” he said.

In September 2025, Russia has escalated tensions by repeatedly violating NATO members’ airspace amid its war in Ukraine. Key incidents include:Estonia (Sept 19): Three armed Russian MiG-31 jets intruded for 12 minutes over the Gulf of Finland; intercepted by Italian F-35s and Finnish jets under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing.

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This was Estonia’s fifth violation this year, called “unprecedentedly brazen.”

Poland (Sept 10): Multiple Russian drones from Belarus breached airspace during an attack on Ukraine; some shot down, causing debris damage.

Romania: Similar drone incursions reported, prompting NATO scrambles.

Other cases hit Norway (three times in spring/summer 2025), Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and possibly Denmark via drones.

Russia denies intent, blaming navigation errors or calling claims “hysteria.”

Why? Experts see it as testing NATO resolve, diverting focus from Ukraine, and hybrid warfare—risking miscalculation or direct clash.

NATO’s Response: Allies convened under Article 4 twice in two weeks. Secretary General Mark Rutte warned of “all necessary measures” per international law, including intercepts or shoot-downs in real-time threats.

US President Trump urged shooting down violators; UK, Poland, and Baltics agree, though Germany urges restraint.

NATO’s boosting eastern defenses like “Eastern Sentry.”

Russia’s FM Lavrov accused NATO of “declaring war” via Ukraine aid.

At UNSC, West clashed with Moscow over evidence.

Tensions simmer—escalation looms if unchecked.

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