Reference News Network, September 13 report - According to AFP, September 12 report, NATO announced on the 12th that it will strengthen defense deployments in the eastern wing of Europe. This came after a Russian drone entered Polish airspace.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the media in Brussels that NATO will launch an operation to "further strengthen our posture on the eastern front."

General Aleksandr Grinkewicz, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of US European Command, stated that the operation named "Eastern Sentinel" has already been issued.

Rutte added that the specific operation will be launched in the coming days, involving contributions from multiple NATO member states, "especially Denmark, France, the UK, Germany, etc."

France has announced the deployment of three "Rafale" fighter jets to enhance Poland's airspace defense, and Germany has also decided to contribute to strengthening Poland's air defense.

Grinkewicz said: "The 'Eastern Sentinel' operation will be flexible and agile, providing more targeted deterrence and defense at necessary locations when needed."

Reuters also reported that NATO announced on the 12th plans to strengthen defense in the eastern part of Europe. Two days earlier, Poland shot down a drone that violated its airspace.

This mission began on the evening of the 12th, involving a series of assets from air and ground bases. NATO has already deployed a large number of troops in Eastern Europe. It did not specify how many additional troops would participate in the new operation.

The NATO statement revealed a small number of additional military assets deployed, including two F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and one frigate, three "Rafale" fighter jets from France, and four "Typhoon" fighter jets from Germany. Spain said it would provide aviation assets, and the UK also said it would soon detail its contribution.

Germany has expanded its aerial vigilance for Poland. Germany and France summoned the Russian ambassador over the drone incident.

However, Russia said it is not interested in the escalation of tensions with Warsaw. According to Sputnik News, September 13 report, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasiliy Nebenzya stated on the 12th at the UN Security Council meeting on the Polish drone incident: "We have repeatedly stated that we are not interested in the escalation of tensions with Warsaw. We reiterate this now."

He said: "Warsaw admitted that the drone may have flown from Ukrainian territory. However, it hastily blamed Russia without providing any evidence. We believe it is important to analyze the real scale of the event's consequences and compare them with the rhetoric of Polish and other European politicians."

Nebenzya pointed out that although the accusations against Russia were "obviously baseless," the Russian Ministry of Defense still expressed willingness to engage in professional dialogue and consultations with Polish counterparts. He added that if Poland is interested in easing tensions, the Russian Foreign Ministry is also prepared to participate in this work. (Translated by Lin Xiaoxuan)

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