Russia’s ambassador to France, Alexey Meshkov, has warned on 25 September 2025 that downing Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace “would mean war,” sharpening tensions after President Donald Trump encouraged allies to shoot down intruding jets and drones.

NATO’s secretary-general, Mark Rutte, has affirmed the allies’ right to engage if necessary, while consultations and readiness moves continue along the eastern flank. The military balance favors NATO, but air defense stocks, especially Patriot interceptors, are tight, and the cost-exchange of firing expensive missiles at cheap drones is a real constraint.