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France will send three Rafale fighter jets to help defend Polish airspace following what Warsaw described as an unprecedented Russian drone attack that violated NATO territory 19 times, President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday.
The deployment marks a significant escalation in Western military support for Poland's air defenses as tensions mount over Russia's use of drones near NATO's eastern border. Poland reported that Russian drones entered its airspace during attacks on neighboring Ukraine, prompting urgent consultations among alliance members.
"Following Russian drone incursions into Poland, I have decided to deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace and Europe's eastern flank alongside our NATO allies," Macron wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The French president said he had committed to the deployment during discussions with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday and coordinated with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Poland scrambled jets and shot down at least three drones during Wednesday's incident, which Tusk characterized as violations of Polish sovereignty. The prime minister convened emergency talks with NATO allies to address what Polish officials called an "unprecedented" attack on the country and the broader alliance.
The drone incursions occurred three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, highlighting growing concerns about the conflict spilling beyond Ukrainian borders. Moscow has denied deliberately targeting Polish territory.
Britain also signaled readiness to bolster Poland's defenses. Starmer discussed potential support measures with both Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, with his office condemning the "shocking Russian violation of NATO and Poland's airspace."
"The prime minister said the UK stood ready to support any further NATO deployments to the region," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The incident has prompted international diplomatic action. Poland requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting for Friday to address the drone attacks, underscoring the gravity with which Warsaw views the airspace violations.
Macron, who has been at the forefront of European diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine, framed the French deployment as part of broader resistance to Russian aggression.
"We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," the president said.
The fighter jet deployment represents France's latest military commitment to NATO's eastern flank, where alliance members have strengthened defenses since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine began.
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