Two British fighter jets have flown their first defensive mission over Poland in response to recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The sortie was launched on Friday night as part of NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” operation, created to bolster security across Europe’s eastern flank after a series of incidents involving Russian drones and aircraft.
NATO Response to Russian Provocations
The mission followed heightened tensions earlier this month when Polish forces shot down Russian drones crossing into their territory. Days later, a Russian drone was also intercepted over Romania, while three Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on Friday.
The incidents have fuelled growing concerns that Moscow is testing the alliance’s defences as its war in Ukraine enters its third year. NATO officials said the operations underscore the need for enhanced air policing along its eastern border.
Poland Warns of “Open Conflict”
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as the most dangerous since the Second World War. Speaking after the incursions, he warned that his country was now closer to “open conflict” than at any time in its modern history.
In response, the UK announced that Royal Air Force (RAF) jets would provide additional cover for Warsaw, demonstrating Britain’s commitment to collective defence.
RAF Typhoons Scrambled From Lincolnshire
Two RAF Typhoon fighters, supported by an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, took off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday evening. The jets conducted a defensive patrol over Polish skies before returning safely in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Military sources confirmed the operation was completed without incident but stressed its symbolic importance as the first RAF mission under Eastern Sentry.
UK Defence Secretary: “Clear Signal to Russia”
Defence Secretary John Healey praised the RAF crews, describing their actions as a firm response to Russian aggression.
“This successful operation sends a clear signal that NATO airspace will be defended,” he said. “I am proud of the outstanding British pilots and air crew who took part in this mission to protect our allies from reckless Russian actions.”
Healey also noted the timing of the mission, which coincided with the UK’s commemoration of the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. “It is especially poignant as we remember how Polish pilots came to the aid of Britain in 1940,” he added.
RAF Chief: Commitment to Allies Unshaken
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, head of the RAF, said the mission highlighted the UK’s readiness and resolve.
“This sortie marks the RAF’s first operational mission on Eastern Sentry, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast commitment to NATO and its allies,” he said. “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range whenever called upon.”
Wider NATO Tensions
NATO leaders have accused Russia of deliberately testing airspace boundaries to gauge the alliance’s response. Security analysts say the recent pattern of incursions reflects Moscow’s strategy of pressure and intimidation against neighbouring states.
The incidents have come amid intensifying fighting inside Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to target civilian and military infrastructure. Western officials have warned that any escalation into NATO territory could trigger a broader confrontation.
Heightened Readiness Across Eastern Europe
Poland, Estonia, and Romania have all increased military readiness in recent weeks, with NATO reinforcing its eastern flank through additional surveillance flights, joint exercises, and air patrols.
Friday’s RAF mission was seen as part of those wider efforts to reassure eastern members of the alliance and deter further Russian aggression.
Looking Ahead
While no further incursions were reported over the weekend, NATO commanders stressed that operations like Eastern Sentry would continue as long as needed.
For Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine, the threat remains acute. As Prime Minister Tusk warned, Europe must prepare for the possibility of conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s frontiers.
