"It's impossible to close the sky": NATO admits dangerous vulnerability of the Baltics

NATO is transitioning from air policing to full-scale air defense over the Baltics following Russian drone attacks in Ukraine. The alliance acknowledges that creating a completely impenetrable air shield is impossible. Fighters from Spain, Italy, and Turkey, as well as the Latvian Blaze system for countering drones, are deployed in the region.

NATO is changing its strategy for protecting the airspace of the Baltic states, moving from an air policing mission to full-scale air defense. This was reported by CBS citing Lieutenant General Guillaume Thomas, NATO's air operations commander in the region. The new mission involves fighters from Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Over the past weekend, during the elections in Latvia, fighters from these countries were on patrol over the country to prevent possible provocations from Russia. Thomas expressed full confidence in US support under President Trump. Russia is successfully using powerful jet-powered drones in Ukraine, which has forced the Baltic states to reconsider their defenses. Latvia is building a "drone wall" along its eastern border—an integrated system of radars, interceptors, and control systems. At an airfield in Lithuania, the new Latvian Blaze system was demonstrated—an interceptor capable of crashing into Russian drones at a distance of up to 10 km. NATO acknowledges that making air defense completely impenetrable is impossible. The ground defense of the region is provided by Canada, whose presence has grown to 3,000 troops. Residents of Latvia are divided in their opinions: some fear a repeat of history with Russia, while others feel safe due to NATO membership.