Following a recent incident involving multiple Russian drones entering Polish airspace, military expert Carlo Masala has called for NATO member states to systematically intercept such objects. Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Masala suggested that within the framework of consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, a decision should be made to shoot down any Russian aircraft, regardless of whether the intrusion was intentional or accidental.
However, Masala anticipates resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, making such a blanket decision unlikely. He believes a more realistic outcome is a strengthening of NATO’s air defenses on its eastern flank, potentially through the deployment of additional Patriot missile batteries.
Furthermore, Masala advocates for the European Union to intensify sanctions against Russia, with a particular focus on the Russian oil industry. He highlighted recent statements from US President Donald Trump indicating a willingness to implement new sanctions, stating that such action would serve as a test of Trump’s resolve and send a strong signal to Moscow.