It’s not every day when NATO, arguably the world’s strongest military alliance, is shooting down hostile aircraft in its airspace. Yet that’s what occurred recently after more than a dozen Russian drones breached Poland’s airspace, which forced NATO to scramble jets to defend a member state from a potential threat.

Daniel DePetris

Days later, another Russian drone drifted into Romania, though no air defenses were activated. The two incursions have generated a wave of alarm in European capitals that Russian President Vladimir Putin is at least testing NATO's durability.

Never before in NATO’s 76-year history has it engaged a Russian aircraft in its own airspace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte slammed Moscow for “reckless and unacceptable” behavior. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cl

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