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A former RAF commander has called on NATO to use “lethal force” on Russian jets that violates their airspace.
The comes as Estonian airspace was violated by three MIG-31 fighter jets on Friday a week after Poland’s incursion by dozens of Russian drones.
The former FAF commander has called on NATO to draw a “red line” and has suggested Russian aircraft must be shot down.
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell warned on X, “NATO needs to make some clear and public statements as to what it considers a red line.”
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Air Marshal Bagwell served 36 years continued, “When it is crossed, the promised response is given, which should be lethal force after a clear warning.
“NATO has to be united now, with a clear and unequivocal statement about what will not be tolerated.
“Right now we don’t know where our red lines are, why should we expect Russia to? And if that red line is crossed then the response must be decisive and ruthless.”
He said that Russia violating Estonian airspace was “a deliberate provocation to sow doubt and confusion amongst NATO nations.”
He warned, “Today these aircraft were only armed with air-to-air missiles but tomorrow it could be something more sinister.
“Putin could have a few objectives here: one) to provoke a response in order to support his argument that Nato is the aggressor; two) to sow discord amongst Nato nations in formulating a response; three) to push the boundaries of the ‘grey zone’.
“Of course he could be trying all three!”
He added, “The grey zone has become a convenient term to hide all manner of “ills”.
“We need to turn that zone into a clear delineation of black and white – and act accordingly when that line is crossed. It’s time to stop Putin calling the shots.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who is Estonian said the incursion is “an extremely dangerous provocation’ that ‘further escalates tensions in the region.”
Kallas said the EU will “continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.”
She warned Putin is “testing the West’s resolve’ and said ‘we must not show weakness.”
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