Cooper warns Russia risks direct NATO confrontation

British jets will ‘confront’ Russian aircraft violating Nato airspace, the Foreign Secretary has told the UN (Ben Birchall/PA) Ben Birchall

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned Russia risks "direct armed confrontation" with NATO as she addressed the UN Security Council for the first time in her role. Speaking on Monday, Cooper condemned recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace as deliberate provocations against European security.

Cooper told the UN that the Russian violations represented a serious escalation. She said: "They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security. They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between Nato and Russia."

Recent airspace violations

Three Russian jets entered Estonian airspace without permission on 19 September, remaining there for 12 minutes before being intercepted by Italian aircraft operating as part of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission. The incident followed similar breaches in Poland and Romania where Russian drones were intercepted or shot down over NATO territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his country was the closest to "open conflict" it had been since the Second World War. The EU's high representative on foreign affairs warned Russia was "testing the West's resolve" through these provocative actions.

UK military response

In response to the drone incursion over Poland, the UK announced that RAF Typhoon jets would join the Eastern Sentry mission. The aircraft flew their first mission over Poland late on 19 September as part of NATO's defensive operations.

Cooper emphasised NATO's readiness to act decisively against future violations. She said: "Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend Nato's skies and Nato's territory. We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission, then we will do so."

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.