"NATO is initiating (Operation) Eastern Sentry to further strengthen our positions on the eastern flank," Rutte said at a joint press conference with US General Alex Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

"This military activity will be launched in the coming days and will involve various resources from allies, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and Germany," Rutte said.

"We are still assessing the incidents that occurred on Wednesday, and whether Russia's actions were intentional or not, Russia violated NATO airspace," the NATO chief noted, referring to the incident in which 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace.

"Whether it was intentional or not, it is dangerous and unacceptable," Rutte said.

He said that Wednesday's incident was"the largest concentration of violations of NATO airspace" but not an isolated case, as similar situations have occurred in Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe clarified that the operation begins tonight, but the allies will transfer capabilities to the Eastern Wing countries according to planned plans.

The NATO Secretary General also said that the Alliance's primary task is to deter aggression and defend each member state from all threats they face. Stressing the importance of protecting the Alliance's eastern flank, Rutte said there are plans to strengthen NATO's presence there if and when needed.

About two dozen Russian drones violated Polish airspace overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The Polish defense and NATO allies deployed in the country responded quickly. According to the Polish government, all the threatening military drones were shot down. The incident coincided with another massive Russian air attack on Ukraine.

G. Nausėda on NATO's decision to strengthen forces on the Eastern Flank: every centimeter is protected

After NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the Alliance will strengthen the defense of its eastern flank, President Gitanas Nausėda says that such a decision will help protect against reckless actions by the Kremlin.

"Every centimeter of allied territory is protected - on land, at sea, and in the air," G. Nausėda posted on the social network"X" on Friday.

"NATO's new vigilance operation Eastern Sentry strengthens our air defenses and protects the Eastern Flank from the Kremlin's reckless actions," he emphasized.

At the time, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys asserted that such a decision by NATO was a swift and decisive response to recent incidents in which Russia violated the airspace of Alliance countries.

"Fast, decisive and precisely where needed. We are strengthening the Eastern Flank, because the Alliance is only as strong as its most vulnerable point. We are strengthening integrated air and land capabilities to ensure not only defense, but also invulnerability. Deterrence is the best defense," K. Budrys said on the social network"X".

As previously announced, in response to this week's incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, Mr. Rutte announced that NATO is initiating the"Eastern Sentry" mission. It aims to strengthen the defense of the Eastern Flank.

ELTA reminds that on Wednesday morning, the Polish armed forces shot down drones over their territory after repeated airspace violations during Russia's attack on Ukraine.