Nato is launching a new operation to protect eastern Europe after Russian drones entered Polish airspace this week.

Up to 24 drones were detected in the incursion overnight on Tuesday, some armed with explosives, while othere were decoys, Western officials believe.

Nato jets were scrambled to shoot down the drones – thought to be the first shots by the alliance since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

An emergency meeting was triggered between members at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters for only the eighth time in its history, as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was the closest his country had come to direct conflict since the Second World War.

On Friday, Nato general secretary Mark Rutte announced the launch of operation Eastern Sentry in th

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