NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has described Ukraine as the “first line of defense” amid a surge in Russian drone and aircraft incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Rutte said NATO must strengthen deterrence and improve air defenses after recent incidents involving drones in Poland and MiG-31s in Estonia.
“In Denmark, we are still assessing what is behind it. But when it comes to Poland and Estonia, it’s clear that it’s to Russians. Still, we are assessing whether it is intentional or not, but even if it is not intentional, it is reckless, and it is unacceptable. So, we need to protect our skies,” he said.
Rutte called the proposed “drone wall” along NATO’s eastern flank both “timely and necessary,” arguing that the alliance cannot afford to spend millions of dollars on missiles to destroy drones costing only a fraction of that.
“We need the drone wall. We are helping the Ukrainians because this is about our values, but also about indeed first line of defense, our collective safety. So, it is crucial that they sustain in the fight, so we keep supporting them,” he added.
The European Union is preparing talks on building a “drone wall” along its eastern border after Russian drone attacks reached Poland earlier this month, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius told Reuters.
Kubilius said he will meet defense ministers from eastern Europe and a Ukrainian representative in late September to discuss the plan, noting that some states had already been considering such a project.
“We want really to move ahead with very, very intensive and effective preparations to start to fill this gap, which is really very dangerous for us...as quickly as we can do it,” Kubilius said in a telephone interview.
The “drone wall” would likely combine sensors, air defense weapons, and jamming systems. Costs and timelines remain unclear, but analysts say it could be built within a year.
Kubilius, who recently visited Kyiv, said Ukraine is ready to share its battlefield know-how: “They’re keen to share their experience.”
The push follows 19 Russian drones violating Polish airspace on Sept. 10, shutting down airports in Rzeszów, Lublin, Warsaw, and Modlin. NATO jets, including Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, and Italian AWACS planes, were scrambled in response.
Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania have also reported Russian drone incursions. NATO has since moved more troops and fighter jets eastward under its Eastern Sentry mission.
Denmark pledged two F-16s and a warship, France three Rafales, Germany four Eurofighters, and the UK RAF Typhoons with support aircraft. Meanwhile, Denmark is investigating mysterious drone sightings that forced airport closures since Sept. 22, with suspicion falling on Russia, though Moscow denies involvement.