Russians getting bolder, this will last till firm response – expert Riabykh on interception of Poland’s aircraft

Valerii Riabykh, Development Director of the Defense Express information and consulting company, said this on Espreso.

He commented on the incident when a Russian Su-35 intercepted a Polish border guard aircraft while flying over the Black Sea.

“This is evidence that the Russians are getting bolder and will test NATO's response. The Alliance's military needs to be decisive and more effective, because the limit of Russian arrogance lies where it is met with force,” Riabykh said.

The expert added that the curtailment of the Frontex mission (the European Agency for the Protection of the External Borders of the European Union) is a necessary step for now.

“It should be followed by another step that would make it impossible for Russians to take further similar actions in the Black Sea. The Russians are now escalating the situation in the region. This can continue until they are given a decisive response. Such a response could be the raising of the two aircraft mentioned by the Romanian representatives in their statement. It would be better if they then mentioned the use of fighter jets, rather than the fact of non-use,” he concluded.