Allies Weigh Shooting Down Russian Aircraft

Russian military aircraft, including Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters, were tracked in the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone as part of a wider pattern of incursions—drones and fighters have probed or violated the airspace of Poland, Estonia (including a reported MiG-31 violation), Romania and Denmark, alongside large drone swarms and reported GPS disruptions. NATO convened under Article 4, scrambled jets and is under urgent pressure to deter further provocations and bolster allied air defences. Western leaders—including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump—and several Baltic and Polish officials have said the option of shooting down intruding Russian aircraft is on the table. Allies are divided over that approach, with Germany warning against dangerous escalation and reporting highlighting coordination gaps and concern about a scaled‑back U.S. role on some missions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his UN General Assembly address to press for faster deliveries of air‑defence systems and weapons, warning that advances in drones and AI are driving an arms race. Moscow denied seeking escalation and urged bilateral consultations to address the incidents.