Russia’s decision to send drones deep into Poland has sparked one of the most serious challenges NATO has faced since the war in Ukraine began. According to U.S.-based analyst Yuriy Boyechko, this incident could mark a turning point for the alliance.
Poland confirmed that more than 10 Russian drones crossed into its airspace overnight, forcing Warsaw’s main airport to shut down temporarily and prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble. Several drones were destroyed, but Polish officials described the event as an “act of aggression” the most serious violation of NATO skies so far.
Boyechko strongly criticized Donald Trump’s foreign policy over the last eight months, arguing that his administration’s inaction has emboldened Vladimir Putin. He compared this with President Biden’s approach, noting that Biden supplied weapons to Ukraine, imposed sanctions, isolated Putin diplomatically, and maintained Western unity. In contrast, Trump, according to Boyechko, reduced military support for Kyiv, lifted pressure off Moscow, and even met with Putin in Alaska, which he believes weakened U.S. credibility.
“Trump’s failure on the diplomatic front has made NATO look weak,” Boyechko said, warning that Putin now feels confident enough to challenge not only Ukraine but also NATO members directly.
European leaders expressed alarm as well.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the violations, stressing that drones posing a direct threat were destroyed.
- NATO deployed Dutch F-35s and German Patriot systems, marking the first time alliance aircraft directly intercepted Russian drones over NATO territory.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the event as the most serious European airspace violation since the war began.
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna both warned that Russia’s aggression threatens all of Europe, not just Ukraine.
UK leaders also reacted strongly. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called Russia’s actions “barbaric and unprecedented,” while Defence Secretary John Healey described them as “reckless, dangerous, and a new level of hostility.”
For NATO, the stakes are now extremely high. If Putin faces no consequences for deliberately sending drones into Poland, Boyechko argues, it could signal the collapse of NATO’s credibility as a security alliance. With ministers gathering in London to discuss their response, the world is watching to see whether NATO’s deterrence remains intact or if Putin has successfully exposed cracks in the West’s defense.
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