Kremlin envoy warns NATO: shooting down Russian planes would mean war as tensions flare over airspace incursions

A Kremlin envoy warned that shooting down Russian planes would ignite a war with NATO, as tensions surged over a string of airspace incursions and drone incidents across Eastern Europe. In an interview with RTL, Russia’s ambassador to France, Alexey Meshkov, said such a move would be tantamount to declaring war and rejected Moscow’s involvement in recent drone incursions. “You know, there are many NATO planes that violate Russian airspace, deliberately or not, but it happens quite often. They are not shot down afterward,” he told the German broadcaster, adding that Moscow does not “play with anyone” and that the West has “fooled” Russia on many occasions.

The warning comes as Poland moves to expand its ability to counter threats from the air. The government has submitted legislation aimed at allowing the military to down Russian drones over Ukraine without prior approval from NATO or the European Union after multiple crossings into Polish airspace earlier this month. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as the closest the alliance has come to open conflict since World War II and said Poland would act decisively to defend its territory. Poland reported downing at least three Russian drones during attacks on Ukraine earlier this month—the first time Russian drones were shot down over NATO territory since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. European officials characterized the move as a deliberate provocation, and NATO summoned jets to respond. Days later, Romania also reported a Russian drone breach of its airspace, and on Friday Estonia said three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace. Tusk cautioned that Poland must be certain it would not stand alone if an escalation occurred and urged allied coordination in any response.

The broader battlefield of Europe’s skies has also seen NATO and allied forces increasing their vigilance. In the United Kingdom, the Royal Navy shadowed a Russian frigate, the RFN Neustrashimy, and a accompanying freighter as they transited through the North Sea and the English Channel, escorted by the cargo ship Sparta IV. HMS Iron Duke and a Wildcat helicopter tracked the heavily armed warship as defence officials warned that Russian vessels are stepping through British waters with greater frequency. Defence Secretary Luke Pollard framed the movements as part of a wider pattern of activity that the United Kingdom and its NATO partners continue to monitor around the clock. “Russian warships are increasingly transiting through the English Channel,” Pollard said. “The Royal Navy protects the UK 24/7 to monitor Russian movements, ensuring the security of our waters and undersea cables.” He added that the patrols underscore Britain’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank and to deterring aggression.

In Washington, the international dialogue over airspace and maritime incidents took on new urgency as former President Donald Trump, speaking at the United Nations, warned that NATO members could shoot down Russian aircraft that infringe on their airspace. The remark fed into a broader debate about how Western allies should respond to potential future incursions or drone strikes tied to Russia, especially as Moscow denies involvement in recent drone activity across Eastern Europe and asserts that Western powers often misrepresent Moscow’s actions.

The thread connecting these developments is a widening test of endurance and readiness within NATO and its partners. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in some drone incursions and has argued that accusations of offensive actions in Europe are untrue or misinformed. Moscow’s allies have framed Western responses as provocative, while NATO members insist on defensive measures and firm boundaries in contested air and sea spaces. The row has not settled into a single, agreed-mapped course of action, but the momentum toward stricter domestic rules, heightened airspace protection, and ongoing naval patrols suggests a more assertive posture from both sides. As incidents accumulate—from drones crossing Polish airspace to fighter jets disputing Estonian airspace—and as political leaders in Warsaw, Tallinn, and London emphasize readiness, European security observers say the risk of miscalculation remains real. The next steps from both Moscow and the alliance will be watched closely, with nerves taut and channels open for dialogue but ready for decisive action if red lines are crossed.