“Last night’s ‘training wheel’ attack by the Russians on Poland (and that is what it was) shows how the states of the alliance have not bothered to prepare properly for not only future war —but the war that is staring them right now in the face,” he said.
Ukraine, which is used to almost daily attacks by Russia, responds more swiftly and more cheaply.
Ukraine said it had intercepted 386 out of 415 Russian drones and 27 out of 43 missiles launched overnight Tuesday.
6. How can NATO respond?
The alliance is aware that its air defenses need improving, and Wednesday’s incidents bolster that feeling.
Oana Lungescu, a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank and a former NATO spokesperson, said that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte “has said that NATO needs a five-fold increase in air and missile defense capabilities, so that’s an urgent priority. It’s also important that all NATO countries clarify their national legislation about downing aircraft entering their airspace.”
Hodges called for NATO to hold a large, multinational air defense exercise to properly coordinate air defenses across all of its frontline states. He also recommended that the rules of engagement be changed for air patrols over the Baltic and Black seas to allow NATO aircraft to shoot down Russian drones and missiles.
Finally, he said it makes sense for NATO to impose a no-fly zone over western Ukraine to prevent Russian drones and missiles from getting close to allied airspace. “There are no Russian planes flying over Ukraine, so this would not be an escalation,” he said.
Esther Webber, Eva Hartog, Victor Jack, Nette Nöstlinger and Chris Lunday contributed reporting.