The UK will deploy Royal Air Force jets to Poland following Russian drone violations of the country's airspace last week. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) announced the deployment during a Channel 4 News interview, stating Britain would provide "further air defence over Poland".
Starmer said: "That is the right thing to do. The wrong thing to do would be to ignore this increased aggression from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, from Russia." He emphasised this was not an isolated incident, citing recent Russian attacks on British and EU facilities in Kyiv.
The Prime Minister added: "It's absolutely clear that the Russians are ramping up the aggression. It's very important that, with our Nato allies, we respond appropriately to that and that's what we're doing today."
Eastern Sentry mission details
Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire will join Nato's "Eastern Sentry" mission, operating over Poland alongside aircraft from Denmark, France and Germany. The deployment will include support from a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The UK is fully committed to playing its part in Eastern Sentry, increasing our military presence on Nato's eastern flank even further."
Diplomatic response escalates
The Foreign Office summoned Russia's ambassador in London, Andrei Kelin, on Monday over Moscow's "unprecedented violation" of Nato airspace. Romania's defence ministry also reported a weekend incident where a Russian drone entered its airspace and was intercepted by two F-16 fighter jets.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the airspace violation as bringing Poland "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two." The UK responded by committing to join Nato efforts to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank amid concerns of further Russian incursions.
Previous RAF operations
Six RAF Typhoon jets were previously stationed in Poland between April and July as part of Nato's enhanced air policing mission. During that deployment, the aircraft accumulated almost 500 flying hours and conducted 20 scrambles while operating alongside Swedish aircraft.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "Russia should understand that its continued aggression only strengthens the unity between Nato allies and our determination to stand with Ukraine, and any further incursions will again be met with force."
Sources used: "Channel 4 News" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
