The Kremlin has warned the West that shooting down Russian planes would be an “act of war” – just as Nato has urged its members to do exactly that.
In recent weeks, Russia has been accused of violating the airspace of Nato neighbours Poland, Romania and Estonia multiple times.
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of Nato, said countries should shoot down Russian planes in their airspace “if so necessary”, adding he “totally agreed” with Donald Trump’s message at the United Nations encouraging allies to respond with force.
However, Russia’s ambassador to France, Alexey Meshkov, has warned such actions “would be war”.
He told RTL: “You known, there are many Nato planes that violate Russian airspace, deliberately or not, but it happens quite often. They are not shot down afterward.”
Mr Meshkov did not provide any examples.
He also reiterated Moscow’s denial of any involvement in recent incidents which saw drones cross into Eastern European airspace, saying: “Russia doesn’t do that, play with anyone. It’s not really our thing.”
Earlier this month, Poland shot down multiple drones believed to have been from Russia.
British jets were among those scrambled to Polish skies
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said: “The situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.”
Nato has since scrambled jets in an attempt to deter Vladimir Putin from going further, calling the incursions part of a “wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour”.
Poland is now understood to be fast-tracking legislation which would allow the country’s military to adopt a “shoot first, ask later” policy when responding to threats.
Mr Tusk added: “We will take the decision to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland – there is absolutely no discussion about that.
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“When we’re dealing with situations that aren’t entirely clear, such as the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic platform – but without any violation, because these aren’t our territorial waters – you really need to think twice before deciding on actions that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict.”
He continued: “I also need to be absolutely certain… that all allies will treat this in exactly the same way as we do.”
On Monday, major airports in Copenhagen, Denmark and Oslo, Norway, were disrupted due to drone sightings.
Just two days later, Danish police once again confirmed drones had been sighted over one of the country’s airports.
Two Royal Air Force Typhoons left a military base in eastern England in order to patrol Polish airspace
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Danish Prime Minister Metter Frederiksen said the drone incursion at Copenhagen airport was “the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far”, and added that Russian involvement could not be ruled out.
However, Kremlin spin doctor Dmitry Peskov said the allegations were “unfounded”.
British jets are among those from member states which flew into Polish skies in what Defence Minister John Healey said sent “a clear signal Nato airspace will be defended”.
Two Royal Air Force Typhoons left a military base in eastern England just days ago in order to patrol Polish airspace.
