The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, did not regulation out the anticipation of shooting down aircraft affecting European countries' airspace. In a conversation with the American tv station, she said that Europe must definitely defend its territory against Russian provocations.
Von der Leyen stressed that "we must defend all square inch of our territory". "This means that in the event that an aircraft enters airspace, after warning, after a clear indication (that it has been breached - PAP), of course we will consider the anticipation of shooting down a combat device that threatens our safety" - said the head of the EC.
Series of Russian violations
On the night of 9th on 10th September, about 20 Russian drones entered Poland's airspace. Head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas stated that, according to the first premises, this was a deliberate action and the most serious breach of European airspace by Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
A fewer days later, on 13 September, a Russian drone breached Romania's airspace. On 19 September, 3 Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonia for about 12 minutes, flying without reported flight plans with the transponders off.
International reactions
In consequence to the breach of Estonian airspace, Lithuania's defence minister Dovile Shakaliene suggested that the correct consequence to Moscow's actions would be to shoot down aircraft. The Czech president Petr Pavel expressed a akin opinion.
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski asked Russia not to file complaints if a rocket or aircraft breached NATO airspace and was shot down. The next day U.S. president Donald Trump said, "Yes, I think so."
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article has been edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
