The Polish defence minister has called on NATO to work faster on strengthening its drone protection in eastern Europe, after multiple Russian drones crossed into Moldova and Romania (see 08.45 post). 

“Operation Eastern Sentry requires reinforcement. Eight
countries have declared their forces, this must be accelerated,”  Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

“This is also a conclusion if this violation is confirmed today.”

The Romanian defence ministry said it was forced to scramble jets after two drones breached its airspace near its border with Ukraine.

For context: Last month, the European Commission outlined the European Drone Defence Initiative – previously known as a “drone wall” – and Eastern Flank Watch as two of its flagship defence projects in a drive to get the continent ready to defend itself by 2030.

The Commission, the EU’s executive body, said both projects should have initial capacity by the end of next year.

It said the drone project should be fully functional a year later and “flank watch” should reach that status at the end of 2028.