Retired General Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, believes the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace represents a deliberate testing of NATO’s defensive capabilities by Russia.
Speaking to Bild, Hodges stated the incident was “definitely not an accident, but a kind of probe”. He indicated that Russia is assessing NATO’s ability to detect and respond quickly, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of radar systems and defense infrastructure.
Hodges expressed concern over NATO’s reaction, specifically highlighting the deployment of F-22 and F-35 fighter jets to intercept the drones. He suggested this response indicates a lack of preparedness, contrasting it with Ukraine’s experience in dealing with daily drone attacks. According to Hodges, Ukraine would not utilize sophisticated weaponry like Patriot missiles or F-35s for drone interception, opting for more economical and readily available alternatives.
Beyond simply testing defenses, Hodges interpreted Russia’s actions as carrying a political message from Moscow. He characterized the incident as an escalation, reflecting a perceived lack of respect for NATO and, specifically, for U.S. President Trump. Hodges suggested Russia may be emboldened by a belief that the U.S. will not take significant action regardless of Russian behavior.
Furthermore, Hodges criticized European nations for failing to consistently intercept Russian drones that have violated NATO airspace in recent years.