Recent airspace incursions by Russian drones into Poland during a large-scale attack on Ukraine have been described as a deliberate provocation by retired US Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges. Speaking to the Polish news portal Wirtualna Polska, Hodges stated the incidents were “not an accident, but a test by the Russians”. He further criticized the response from Poland and NATO, deeming it inadequate and characterizing it as “a failed attempt at deterrence.
Polish authorities reported up to 19 separate instances of the unmanned aerial vehicles violating Polish airspace during the night of Wednesday, with the military engaging and shooting down several. Dutch F-35 fighter jets were also deployed in response.
Hodges, who served as Commanding General of US Army Europe from 2014 to 2017, contends the event highlights a lack of seriousness on the part of Russia towards NATO. The fact that these incursions occurred while 10,000 US soldiers are stationed in Poland, according to Hodges, demonstrates a perceived disregard for both the United States and Europe. He suggested Moscow believes the West will refrain from taking significant action.
The retired General also voiced concerns about the methods used to counter the drone threat. Deploying fighter jets to intercept drones, he noted, is not a practice employed by Ukrainian forces. Hodges emphasized the need for more suitable ground-based defense systems capable of effectively defending against drones and missiles. Finally, he dismissed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s assertion that the alliance defends “every inch” of its territory as “a joke” and “virtually absurd”.