Recently, a Russian submarine required escort through the English Channel due to "technical problems. " The episode became a topic for jokes, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte mentioned this incident at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly in Slovenia, "determining" the state of the Russian Navy.
On October 15, a large-scale meeting in the Ramstein format and the Ukraine-NATO Council with the participation of defense ministers are planned. The day's program includes statements, meetings, press conferences, and a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense.
In recent months, at least ten European countries have reported drone incursions into their airspace, raising concerns and leading to increased security measures. Romania, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Belgium have witnessed these incidents, some of which are linked to Russia.
The NATO Secretary General stated that the exercises aim to send a clear message to any potential adversary.
EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that German intelligence possesses evidence that the Russian leadership is discussing the possibility of attacking NATO countries. He emphasized that Russia is capable of producing weapons on a large scale and has adapted to technological changes in warfare.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. They discussed countering Russian provocations, filling the PURL initiative with new contributions, and further cooperation.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed dissatisfaction with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding his desire to invoke Article 4 of the Alliance treaty after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. Rutte believes that NATO will lose its strength if it invokes the article for every violation of sovereignty by drones or cyberattacks.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that NATO is strengthening coordination and support for Ukraine after drone incidents in Poland and Estonia. Aid to Kyiv is a strategic defense of Europe's security and stability.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an agreement with Ukraine to allocate 2 billion euros for drones. She also proposed the idea of a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
Lukashenka warned that shooting down Russian planes by NATO would lead to an immediate response and a full-scale war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his support and informed him about the Russian attack. The leaders discussed the PURL program for purchasing weapons that save Ukrainian lives.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the UN General Assembly that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO and EU countries, but NATO threatens all of Eurasia. He also spoke in favor of reforming the UN Security Council and condemned the Hamas attack on Israel.
An unknown drone was spotted over the Valajaskoski hydropower plant in Rovaniemi, Finland. This incident occurred after the country's power plants were declared no-fly zones.
Diplomats from Great Britain, France, and Germany warned the Kremlin that NATO is ready to respond to airspace violations, including by shooting down Russian planes. This happened after three MiG-31 fighters intruded over Estonia.
"Unknown" drones were recorded over the Mourmelon-le-Grand military base in France on the night of September 21-22. The incident was called "exceptional," and an investigation is underway.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia is lying about the start of a world war if its planes are shot down by NATO countries. He recalled the 2015 incident when Turkey shot down a Russian bomber.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that Ukraine will continuously receive American weapons, financed by NATO countries under the PURL initiative. $2 billion has already been allocated for aid packages.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported Donald Trump's statement that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and planes if they enter their airspace, if such a step is necessary. NATO military personnel are trained to assess such threats and determine further actions.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed incidents involving drones over Danish airports, calling them “serious. ” The parties agreed on NATO's cooperation with Denmark to ensure the security of critical infrastructure, as the incidents could be part of a “hybrid attack.”
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss the expansion of the PURL program, which has already reached $2. 1 billion. The parties also coordinated positions on threats from the escalation of Russian aggression, emphasizing the deliberate nature of violations of NATO airspace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that decisions on the use of force against aircraft or drones violating the Alliance's airspace will be made based on intelligence data regarding the level of threat. He noted that NATO will respond proportionally, but will not always immediately shoot down aircraft.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated the Alliance's readiness to "scare the Russians" to prevent provocations. He emphasized that NATO's air defense reacted quickly and decisively to the violation of airspace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that there was no need to shoot down MiG aircraft that flew into Estonia, as they posed no immediate threat. Three Russian MiG-31 fighters violated Estonian airspace, remaining there for 12 minutes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the implementation of the PURL program, particularly concerning air defense. The discussion took place on the eve of the General Assembly in New York, where Zelenskyy emphasized the need for real protection against Russian strikes.
Great Britain is sending Typhoon fighters to Poland in response to the violation of its airspace by Russian drones. This step is part of a NATO mission to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank.
US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg stated that the war against Ukraine would end if China stopped aiding Russia. He also noted that if Russia were truly achieving real successes, "they would not be bringing thousands of North Korean soldiers to the territory of the Russian Federation."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not consider NATO to have failed due to Russian drones over Poland, but emphasized the need for strong responses. He proposed providing Ukraine with weapons to strike factories where drones are produced and imposing sanctions against companies that supply components for Russian weapons.
The General Staff of Poland announced the start of NATO's "Eastern Guardian" mission to strengthen the country's eastern flank after the incident with Russian drones. A French A-400 aircraft delivered weapons for Rafale fighters, which are already in Poland.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that modern Russian missiles fly five times faster than sound. They can reach London or Madrid in a matter of minutes, which makes the idea of greater security in Western Europe erroneous.
Canada summoned Russia's ambassador to deliver a note of protest after Russian drones violated the airspace of Poland and NATO. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand declared unwavering support for NATO allies and Ukraine.
