Global Affairs Canada has called in Russia’s ambassador following the recent incident where Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that Ambassador Oleg Stepanov received an official reprimand during the summons on Wednesday. Anand emphasized that the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones also constituted a breach of NATO’s airspace.
In response to the incursion, Poland took defensive action by shooting down several drones with the assistance of military aircraft from NATO allies. This marked the first instance of a Western military alliance member firing shots during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns, stating that the situation represents the closest proximity to open conflict since World War II.
During a parliamentary session, Tusk disclosed that there were 19 unauthorized entries into Polish airspace. Poland invoked Article 4, enabling consultations with NATO members. Despite Russia and Belarus suggesting that the incursions were due to network interference, Poland refuted this explanation, asserting that the attacks were deliberate.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the actions as reckless, irrespective of the perpetrator’s intent. NATO announced plans to enhance its defensive capabilities along its eastern flank bordering Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine to deter potential aggression. The new operation, Eastern Sentry, will involve deploying additional equipment from France, Denmark, Germany, and the U.K. to bolster air and ground defenses.
Canada expressed support for the reinforcement of defenses along the eastern flank, as highlighted by Minister Anand. The United Nations Security Council convened to address the drone incursion into Poland, while Canada hosted a virtual meeting of G7 finance ministers to explore further measures in pressuring Russia economically. The G7 nations, including Canada, the United States, and others, are committed to impeding Russia’s military actions through economic sanctions and other measures. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the importance of maintaining maximum pressure on Russia in light of recent threats made by Russian President Vladimir Putin against foreign troops in Ukraine.