Carnegie Politika Podcast What to Do About Russian Drones in NATO Airspace, with Justyna Gotkowska
Oct 2, 2025
Justyna Gotkowska, Deputy Director of OSW and expert in defense policy, delves into recent Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace. She discusses Moscow's motives, such as testing NATO's reactions and pressuring Europe. Justyna highlights Poland's united response amidst Russian disinformation and the high costs of countering drones versus investing in advanced defense systems. She also considers the balance Eastern European states must strike between national defense and support for Ukraine, touching on the debate around a no-fly zone.
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Probing To Pressure The West
- Russia seeks to pressure the U.S. and Europe by showing the Ukraine war can spill into NATO territory.
- Moscow times incursions to push negotiation leverage with a perceived disengaged U.S. under Trump.
Domestic Constraints Drive Escalation
- Domestic Russian weakness and shrinking resources may be driving Moscow to seek a negotiated end while it can.
- Gotkowska argues Russia sees a closing window to win and therefore presses for talks.
Disinformation Shifts Public Debate
- Russian disinformation campaigns successfully blurred who was responsible and undermined public debate in Poland.
- Gotkowska notes this lowered clarity and increased anti-Ukrainian sentiment online.