British fighter jets to fly air defence missions over Poland after Russia's drone incursion

Royal Air Force jets will fly air defence missions over Poland as part of a NATO mission, the government has announced.

The move comes after Russian drones last week entered Polish airspace in Vladimir Putin's most significant violation of NATO airspace yet. The Typhoons - from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire - will join allied forces from Denmark, France and Germany to reinforce NATO's defence along its eastern side, the Ministry of Defence said.

They will be supported by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire. Sir Keir Starmer said: "Russia's reckless behaviour is a direct threat to European security and a violation of international law, which is why the UK will support NATO's efforts to bolster its eastern flank through Eastern Sentry.

"These aircraft are not just a show of strength, they are vital in deterring aggression, securing NATO airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies. "We will continue to stand firm in our support for Ukraine and ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace." Russia's incursion into Polish airspace was followed by a violation of Romanian skies just days later.

The Kremlin has said its drones went into Poland because they were jammed, but European leaders believe the breaches were a deliberate provocation. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the incident brought his country "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two".

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The message to Moscow is clear. Putin tested NATO, NATO responded with unity, and the UK will play our full part.

"When we are threatened, we respond together." The Foreign Office has also summoned the Russian ambassador in London, Andrei Kelin, over what it called the "utterly unacceptable" violations. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced the Eastern Sentry operation on Friday, and said it would involve the deployment of equipment on the border with Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to deter potential Russian aggression.

It underlines long-held concerns about the potential expansion of Russia's three-year war in Ukraine. Read more:Russia sends a message with military drillsUK to mass produce drones for Ukraine Six RAF Typhoons were based in Poland between April and July as part of NATO's enhanced air policing mission.

During that deployment, the jets - operating alongside Swedish aircraft - amassed almost 500 flying hours..