NATO in September 2026: the most important developments in security
NATO security in September 2026 was marked by drone incidents and heightened tension with Russia along the eastern flank. On 15 September NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania, and the alliance said it remained committed and ready to defend its eastern flank; no details were given on the drone's origin. Two days earlier Lithuania had briefly closed Vilnius Airport and NATO jets had been scrambled over what turned out to be a flock of birds. NATO also reported a rise in Russian hybrid attacks, and on 16 September members reported drones carrying explosives found in Poland and Lithuania. Poland and its prime minister, Donald Tusk, warned of possible Russian strikes on NATO territory. Allies foiled a Russian undersea cable sabotage mission on 10 September.
Allies reinforced the region. Germany sent Eurofighters to Latvia before its 3 October election, Czech Gripens deployed to eastern Poland, Spanish jets were activated in Romania over Russian drones, and Sweden offered fighter jets for a NATO operation in Poland. On 25 September Finland and Sweden scrambled jets together for the first time. Six NATO countries were buying Merops counter-drone systems. Four Italian soldiers were injured in a training incident in Latvia on 25 September.
On 24 September Denmark's intelligence service said a Russian invasion of a NATO country was unlikely but warned of a growing risk of a limited Russian attack on a member state; NATO increased intelligence sharing. A top NATO commander said the United States would provide critical but more limited capabilities.
At the end of the month Russia threatened NATO over Kaliningrad. On 29 and 30 September it made nuclear threats, which NATO called irresponsible; Secretary General Mark Rutte told Russia to "stop the nuclear threats". Separately, a Spanish NATO officer was suspended after a relationship with a Russian woman raised security concerns at a UK base.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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