NATO has launched the Northern Star exercise near the Finnish-Russian border, a large-scale military drill designed to test and modernize the alliance's deterrence capabilities. The exercise comes as Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace, particularly over Romania, have intensified, raising concerns about the alliance's ability to defend its eastern flank.
Drills in the Shadow of Drone Incursions
The Northern Star exercise, involving thousands of troops from multiple member states, focuses on rapid deployment and integrated air defense. Finnish officials, hosting the drills near the border with Russia, emphasized the need for NATO to adapt to new threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The exercise simulates scenarios where drones are used to probe or violate allied airspace, a tactic Russia has employed in its war against Ukraine.
Recent months have seen a spike in such incidents. In September, a Russian drone struck a residential apartment block in the Romanian city of Galați, an event that NATO vowed to defend Romania against. The strike, which caused no casualties, was widely condemned by EU leaders, who called it a deliberate provocation. Polish officials described the incursion as a test of NATO's resolve.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas. In recent weeks, Russia launched 232 drones across Ukraine, hitting Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, and a drone barrage struck a residential area in Kharkiv. The attacks have also targeted civilian ships in the Odesa region, cutting power for thousands.
NATO's response has been twofold: reinforcing air defenses in member states bordering Ukraine and conducting exercises like Northern Star to ensure interoperability. The alliance has deployed additional Patriot batteries and other air defense systems to Romania and Poland, while also integrating Finnish and Swedish capabilities following their accession.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen stated during the exercise's opening, "We must be prepared for hybrid threats, including drone incursions that blur the line between war and peace. Northern Star demonstrates our commitment to collective defense."
The exercise also underscores the strategic importance of Finland's long border with Russia, which doubled NATO's direct frontier with Moscow. Finnish troops, trained in Arctic warfare, bring unique expertise to the alliance, particularly in countering drone operations in harsh winter conditions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pledged full support to Romania after the Galați strike, highlighting the interconnected nature of security in the region. The incident has also spurred calls within the EU for a more coordinated approach to air defense and drone countermeasures.
As Northern Star continues, NATO officials stress that the exercise is defensive in nature but sends a clear signal to Moscow. "We will not tolerate violations of our airspace," said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu. "Our deterrence must be credible, and exercises like this ensure it is."
The alliance is also exploring new technologies, including electronic warfare and directed-energy weapons, to counter drone swarms. The Northern Star drills include testing of such systems, reflecting a broader modernization push driven by the war in Ukraine.
For residents near the Finnish-Russian border, the exercise is a reminder of the new geopolitical reality. "We used to think of NATO as something far away," said a local mayor in Lappeenranta. "Now it's here, and we feel safer."
