Dictators like Vladimir Putin are dissuaded when democracies channel their productive capabilities toward military strength.
Multiple Russian drones have violated Polish airspace. In a statement, the operational command of the Polish Armed Forces said they were undertaking operations to neutralize the drones (translated from Polish to English):
“Attention, during today’s attack by the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on targets located in the territory of Ukraine, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects.
An operation is underway aimed at identifying and neutralizing the objects. On the orders of the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, weapons have been deployed, and services are actively working to locate the downed objects.
We emphasize that the military operation is ongoing, and we urge people to stay at home. The most threatened areas are the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie voivodeships.
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, and the forces and resources under its command remain fully prepared for immediate response.”
❗️Uwaga, w trakcie dzisiejszego ataku Federacji Rosyjskiej wykonującej uderzenia na obiekty znajdujące się na terytorium Ukrainy, nasza przestrzeń powietrzna została wielokrotnie naruszona przez obiekty typu dron.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also issued an initial statement (translated from Polish to English):
An operation is underway related to multiple violations of Polish airspace. The military used armaments against the objects. I am in constant contact with the President and the Minister of Defense. I received a direct report from the operational commander.
Trwa operacja związana z wielokrotnym naruszeniem polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej. Przeciwko obiektom wojsko użyło uzbrojenia. Jestem w stałym kontakcie z Prezydentem i Ministrem Obrony. Odebrałem bezpośredni meldunek od dowódcy operacyjnego.
A significant portion of the Polish population was encouraged to stay inside amid the violation of Polish airspace:
Polish authorities have urged residents of the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie voivodeships to shelter in place due to tonight's Russian drone attack. pic.twitter.com/0hDIcxaPQL
U.S. Senator Joe Wilson referred to Russia’s actions as “an act of war”:
“Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland with Iranian shahed drones less than a week after President Trump hosted President Nawrocki at the White House. This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked aggression against free and productive nations. I urge President Trump to respond with mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia. Putin is no longer content just losing in Ukraine while bombing mothers and babies, he is now directly testing our resolve in NATO territory. Putin stated that “Russia knows no borders.” Free and prosperous nations will teach Russia about borders.”
Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland with Iranian shahed drones less than a week after President Trump hosted President Nawrocki at the White House. This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked…
Another U.S. Senator, Dick Durbin, said Putin is testing NATO’s resolve:
“Repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones are fair warning that Vladimir Putin is testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations. After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored.”
Repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones are fair warning that Vladimir Putin is testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations. After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored.
And in a further statement once more information had been gathered, the Polish Prime Minister confirmed the drones were Russian, and said some posed a direct threat:
Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down. I am in constant communication with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies.
Russia continues to increase its attacks on Ukraine, which are up substantially amid a more appeasement-focused approach in U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term:
Russia has been emboldened by Western inaction. While many nations, including Canada, have continued to provide support for Ukraine, the U.S. commitment to Ukraine has wavered, and Trump has repeatedly given Putin “two weeks” to agree to ceasefires while promising consequences if Putin refused to do so, only to back off.
Further, the failure of Western nations to shift to larger-scale military-industrial mobilization, even as Russia ramps up military spending to ‘total war’ levels, signals vulnerability, which again emboldens dictators like Putin.
A time for action
As noted by former Harper Government cabinet minister & former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, there are many things Canada and our allies can do in response to Russia’s latest escalation:
“Putin is now attacking a NATO ally.
This cannot stand.
It is past time for:
All NATO countries to end imports of Russian oil and gas
Wide, coordinated sanctions against any countries importing Russian oil & gas (following US leadership w/ tariffs on India)
The use of hundreds of billions of dollars worth of frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine in buying weapons. Canada can and should lead on this.
Removal of caveats prohibiting Ukraine from using long range weapons systems against Russian targets (e.g. ATACMS)
Chancellor Merz to keep his election promise by providing Ukraine with long range Taurus missiles.
The entire point of the alliance is to deter aggression. Looking the other way while Putin tests NATO would only increase the chances of further aggression. Deterrence requires clarity and strength.”
Kenney is 100% correct. And to his list, I would add that Canadian rearmament must be accelerated.
The Canadian Government deserves credit for shifting to a much more serious military posture, moving to hit the 2% NATO target this fiscal year and agreeing to hit the new 3.5% target (with an additional 1.5% of GDP to be spent on ‘defence-related infrastructure’ by 2035. New purchases of submarines and fighter jets will likely soon be finalized, and the recently announced military pay increase should help boost recruitment.
With that said, there must be an even greater sense of urgency. Canada should be directing more investment into domestic drone manufacturers above what is already being done. Artillery shell production companies should be awarded large contracts to incentivize a significant production expansion, thereby enhancing our own stockpiles and defence production capabilities, as well as supporting Ukraine. We need military mass-production, the kind of production that can help our NATO allies both deter Russia through a demonstration of productive power and, if we are plunged into conflict, produce what is necessary to win a war of attrition.
Not only is there a national security imperative at work here, but there are economic benefits to be gained. With many Canadians struggling to find work, and with the Canadian manufacturing sector facing severe headwinds from U.S. tariffs and global economic challenges, a large military buildup will generate jobs and help build up Canada’s military manufacturing sector, with spin-off effects for the auto sector, steel sector, and aluminum sector.
Ultimately, Russia’s latest escalation is a reminder that we cannot simply wish for the world to be a safer and more peaceful place. If we want to preserve our rights and freedoms, support our allies, and constrain authoritarian states, we must rearm, and we must do so now.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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