France deploys jets to protect Polish airspace

France on Friday said it was deploying fighter jets to Poland as Europe’s first, measured step to Russia’s drone incursion into the country aimed to send a signal to Moscow that any further aggression won’t go unchecked. Meanwhile, the UK announced fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s oil revenues and war machine.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would deploy three advanced Rafale fighter jets to help protect Poland’s airspace and NATO’s eastern flank to fulfill a commitment he made to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He said the deployment was discussed with both NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and British PM Keir Starmer.

“The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not yield to Russia’s growing intimidation,” Macron posted on X. Britain’s new sanctions include bans on 70 vessels that the UK says is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil in defiance of sanctions already in place. Some 30 individuals and companies — including Chinese and Turkey-based firms — have also been sanctioned for their part in supplying Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.