Russia has introduced the Gerbera into the current war in Ukraine. This abrupt transition raised major concerns of airspace violations, particularly after several terrifying close calls within just the past weeks near Polish airspace. The Gerbera, a cheap UAV, has risen to prominence as one of Russia’s key tools in its campaign to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses. This multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicle has many tactical roles, including reconnaissance and at times, it’s used as a flying bomb.
As we noted above, the Gerbera drones have been already used by Russian forces as decoys to blitz Ukraine air defense systems. This tactic is designed to draw focus away from far greater threats and obfuscate the operational environment for Ukraine’s forces. These uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly been used with small warheads. This new capability has transformed them into flying bombs themselves, exponentially expanding the fate of potential devastation should they penetrate aging defenses.
In the latest provocation, Gerbera drones are said to have crossed into Polish airspace, triggering urgent responses from Polish and NATO leaders. Polish Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that the drones were “clearly set on this course” toward Poland and were “suitably armed … so something could have happened at any time.” These new developments have inflamed tensions in the region and provoked strident reaction from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy rightly lamented what he called the “appeasement” of Western and global leaders who have failed to take specific, strong, and decisive action. He stated, “There have been more than enough statements, but so far there has been a lack of action. The Russians are testing the limits of what is possible. They are testing the reaction. They are recording how the armed forces of NATO countries act.”
The United States and our fellow G7 nations have made significant progress. Together, they have synchronized sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions have led to bans on Russian imports and a ramp up in military aid to Ukraine and NATO partners. Recently, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of $1.07 billion worth of advanced air-to-air missiles to Finland, emphasizing the commitment to defending nations that share borders with Russia.
Recent assembly of Gerbera drones in Yelabuga has sparked alarm. Many of these drones are being built from kits supplied by a Chinese manufacturer. This development indicates the high bar of international cooperation required to make real progress towards restricting Russia’s military capabilities. Ukrainian intelligence later looked into the smuggling operation and found that the Gerbera drones contained electronic components stolen from American and European manufacturers. This troubling finding calls into question all export compliance related to export restrictions.
Faced with this growing menace, the United Kingdom has recently committed to offsetting that threat by producing interceptor drones en masse that are designed cheaply in Ukraine, but manufactured elsewhere. This program represents an opportunity to significantly strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities against Russian UAV attacks, while strengthening NATO’s collective security.
Even former President Donald Trump got in on the action. He criticized Russia’s recent incursion into Polish territory, saying, “What is up with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!” His comments are part of a larger context of concern about airspace violations and what they mean for broader regional security.
Matthew Whitaker, acting undersecretary of U.S. defense policy, echoed NATO’s Article 5 — its mutual defense under attack — in response to these provocations. He stated, “We stand by our NATO Allies in the face of these airspace violations and will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Experts argue that continued coordination between G7 countries is key to keeping pressure on Russia. Richard Bronze noted that, “Sanctions coordination between the U.S. and the other G7 nations does seem to have largely broken down under the Trump administration,” emphasizing the need for unified international efforts.
With tensions further escalating in Eastern Europe, Zelenskyy has asked for increased support and cooperation between NATO allies. He emphasized the necessity of creating an effective air defense system across Europe, stating, “We need to work on a joint system of air defense and create an effective air shield over Europe.”