The National safety Office informed about the signing by the president of the Republic of Poland by Karol Nawrocki of the decision on the NATO military's stay in Poland. As reported, it is simply a military component of the North Atlantic Treaty States, which will participate in an operation under the code name "Eastern Sentry". The order is classified.
Formally, the President's decision constitutes a consent to the presence of allied forces, in accordance with the constitutional procedures in force in Poland. In the light of the expanding tension on the east flank of NATO, and especially after Russian drones entered the Polish airspace from 9 to 10 September, this decision falls within the broader context of national security.
Operation east Sentry was initiated by NATO on 12 September as a consequence to Poland's speech with Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This is simply a consultation mechanics where any associate State considers that its territorial integrity or safety are at risk.
The North Atlantic Alliance's authoritative communication states that the intent of Operation east Sentry is to increase NATO's defence capabilities in the east flank — in the air, at sea and on land — peculiarly in the fight against Russian drones violating associate States' airspace. To date, it has remained the work of individual countries to respond to specified incidents. east Sentry introduces a uniform, collective policy and principles of action for the air defence of the full region.
At a press conference on 12 September, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the launch of the operation and admitted that the situation was becoming increasingly worrying.
"Although this was the biggest case of NATO airspace breach, which happened on Wednesday, it was not an isolated incident. Russian recklessness in the air along our east flank is becoming more frequent. We saw drones violating our airspace in Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Whether it was intended or not, it was dangerous and unacceptable.”
Rutte besides stressed that all allies expressed full solidarity with Poland and powerfully condemned Russia's actions. He announced further reinforcement of military presence:
"We are ready to defend all centimeter of the territory of the associate States. At the beginning of this year, we set up a Baltic Sentry to defend critical infrastructure in the Baltic. Today, with General Grynkewich, we announce the launch of the east Sentry to further strengthen our attitude on the east flank.”
The operation involves, among others, the armed forces of Denmark (two F-16 fighters and an anti-aircraft frigate), France (three Rafales), Germany (four Eurofighters), as well as another naval and land units not officially mentioned in the NATO communication. The actions are coordinated by the commander of the American forces, General Alexus G. Grynkewich. So far, no casualties have been reported on either side.
Eastern Sentry is not the first specified NATO initiative in 2025. On 14 January, the Alliance launched Operation Baltic Sentry to increase its military presence in the Baltic and improve its consequence to destabilising activities. east Sentry is an extension of this approach — this time focusing on responding to air threats straight over the territory of the associate States.
According to information provided by the National safety Bureau, the decision signed by the president of Nawrocki is of a nature Classified. This means that details of the number of soldiers, their deployment, equipment and time of stay have not been disclosed to the public. This decision is in line with the practice of delicate military and allied operations.
It is worth recalling that Article 134(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland states that the president of Poland, at the request of the Council of Ministers, agrees to the stay of abroad troops in Poland. Today's resolution is so not only a formal implementing act, but besides a clear confirmation that Poland is actively utilizing NATO's treaty instruments in the face of immediate threat.
The Russian drone incidental is not the first breach of NATO's airspace, but its scale and number of simultaneous incursions have been described by many commentators as "recorded". Prime Minister Donald Tusk explicitly said that this was the minute erstwhile Poland was "the closest to the armed conflict since the Second planet War".
The presence of NATO forces in Poland, although part of a common policy of deterrence, is besides of applicable importance, enabling joint exercises, faster escalation reactions, and building interoperability between associate States' armies. Most importantly, this operation shows that NATO can act quickly, decisively and in full agreement between allies. For Poland as a border country of the east flank of the Alliance, Operation east Sentry is not only a question of security, but besides a confirmation of political and military credibility in NATO structures. Today's resolution by president Karol Nawrocki is so symbolic and operational.
