NATO allies are discussing a more decisive response to Russia's provocations, among the proposed measures is the deployment of armed drones along the border with Russia and easing restrictions for pilots to allow them to shoot down Russian planes that have violated the airspace of alliance countries, reports the Financial Times citing four NATO representatives.
The goal of the new approach to threats is to increase the cost for Moscow of its «hybrid warfare» and to define clear countermeasures after a series of airspace violations by Russian drones and planes.
One of the pressing issues is the streamlining of rules for the use of weapons on the eastern flank. Some countries require fighter pilots to visually confirm a threat before using weapons, while others allow them to open fire based on radar data or perceived danger, depending on the direction or speed of the enemy target.
When in September three Russian fighters entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, the Italian pilots who met them concluded that they did not pose an immediate threat.
In Poland, of the 19 Russian drones that penetrated the country, only those whose armament status was unclear were shot down, the rest were deemed reconnaissance devices and were not shot down.
As another measure against Russia, it is proposed to conduct NATO military exercises on the border with Russia, especially in more remote and unguarded parts of the border.
At the same time, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that it is very important to «ensure that we have enough steps on the escalation ladder». Several countries also advise adhering to a more conservative response due to the risks of direct confrontation with a nuclear power like Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated today at a briefing with journalists that he does not rule out that Russia will announce mobilization and start a «big war». «Because he needs to „sell“ success. In the war against Ukraine, everything he could „sell“, he has already „sold“, and as you see, as I said, the product is already of poor quality — he „sells“ lies that he can supposedly achieve something in the war against Ukraine. And where can his quick successes be? Look at the map of Europe. Where there will be quick successes, that's where he will go if there is mobilization. That's for sure. And why would he mobilize millions? There is a big risk that Putin will actually go into a world war», noted Zelensky.