(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, SEP 12 - NATO chief Mark Rutte said Friday that the alliance would reinforce the defence of its eastern flank following the intrusion of Russian drones in Polish airspace this week. The announcement comes after NATO scrambled jets to shoot down Russian drones over allied airspace for the first time since the war in Ukraine started three-and-a-half years ago. "NATO is launching Eastern Sentry to bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank," Rutte told a joint news conference with NATO's top commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich. "This military activity will commence in the coming days and will involve a range of assets from allies including Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Germany," Rutte said He said the reinforcements would include "more traditional military capabilities" in addition to "elements designed to address the particular challenges associated with the use of drones". NATO is still assessing whether Russia had intentionally violated Poland's airspace or not, he added, but repeated that either way "it is reckless. It is unacceptable." NATO's announcement comes after allies including France and Germany said they would send more fighter jets to Poland. "Although the immediacy of our focus is on Poland, this situation transcends the borders of one nation. What affects one ally affects us all," Grynkewich said. (ANSA-AFP).