UK warplanes to guard Poland against ‘Russian drones’ – Starmer
UF to send warplanes to Poland
(32 minutes later)
The Typhoons will help Warsaw counter “aerial threats” from Moscow, London says
The Typhoons will help Warsaw counter “aerial threats,” London says
The UK will deploy Eurofighter Typhoon jets to patrol Polish airspace after Warsaw accused Russia of a large-scale drone incursion, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday.
The UK will deploy some of its Eurofighter Typhoon jets to patrol Polish airspace, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday.
The jets will join French Rafales, German Eurofighters, and Danish F-16s in the coming days as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry operation, the UK government said. Operating from Coningsby airbase in eastern England and supported by Voyager air-to-air refueling tankers, they will monitor “aerial threats from Russia, including drones,” according to the statement.
Poland launched its Iron Defender 25 drills last month, featuring around 30,000 troops, including soldiers from other NATO member states. The Czech Republic has already sent three helicopters to Poland. Spain, Italy, and Sweden have pledged additional support.
“These aircraft are not just a show of strength; they are vital in deterring aggression, securing NATO airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies,” Starmer said, accusing Russia of “reckless behavior” on NATO’s eastern flank.
The British jets will join French Rafales, German Eurofighters, and Danish F-16s in the coming days as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry drills, the UK government said.
The Czech Republic has already sent three helicopters to Poland. Spain, Italy, and Sweden have pledged additional support.
Poland claimed that at least 19 Russian drones entered its airspace on September 9. Allegations Russian envoy to the UN Security Council Vassily Nebenzia dismissed as “unfounded.”
Poland claimed that at least 19 Russian drones entered its airspace on September 9, which Moscow has denied. Reuters cited an unnamed Polish military official as identifying the UAVs as Gerbera decoy drones often used to saturate Ukraine’s air defenses.
Speaking at the UN Security Council last week, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the allegations as “unfounded.”
Announcing the deployment, Starmer claimed “These aircraft are not just a show of strength; they are vital in deterring aggression, securing NATO airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies.”
Russia and Belarus are set to conclude the Zapad 2025 military exercise on Tuesday, involving around 13,000 troops. Both countries have rejected Western accusations that the drill is a rehearsal for an invasion, calling them “hysteria.”
Russia and Belarus are set to conclude the Zapad 2025 military exercise on Tuesday, involving around 13,000 troops. US military staff have attended the drills, while Moscow and Minsk have rejected Western accusations that the drill is a rehearsal for an invasion, calling them “hysteria.”
Poland launched its Iron Defender 25 drills last month, featuring around 30,000 troops, including soldiers from other NATO member states.
