NATO has scrambled its first jet to defend its airspace under Eastern Sentry, the mission to secure airspace on its eastern flank that was launched in response to Russia's violations of Polish airspace.

The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) said Monday that a French Rafale fighter jet and a Polish helicopter had been deployed on Saturday to counter a potential threat posed by Russian drones.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Eastern Sentry marks a shift in NATO 's posture along its eastern flank, sparked by the largest Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace to date.

With Denmark, France, Germany, and the U.K. contributing fighter jets and naval vessels and Finland and Latvia now backing the program, there is a mu

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