NATO has launched "Eastern Guard" operation, deploying ground forces and aviation to bolster Eastern Europe's defenses in response to Russia-Belarus exercises and airspace violations. The operation, which began Friday evening, includes contributions from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, according to a statement attributed to Mark Rutte. This announcement comes as Poland has deployed approximately 40,000 servicemen to its border with Belarus, coinciding with the "West-2025" exercises. The European Union will frontload EUR 6 billion from the ERA loan and establish a Drone Alliance with Ukraine, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen. Germany has also commenced aerial patrols over Poland, with two air force crews on 24/7 duty in the region. In a related development, a Ukrainian ammunition depot was reportedly hit by an airstrike. Amid escalating tensions, a German Defense Committee president proposed shooting down Russian drones over Ukraine. New U.S. export restrictions target 23 Chinese, 3 Turkish, 2 UAE, and single companies from India, Iran, Singapore, and Taiwan, along with Russian firms, for aiding Russia in evading sanctions. New Zealand has lowered its price cap on Russian crude oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, a move Ukraine's Andriy Yermak stated would cut Kremlin oil revenues. The Polish army's deployment to the Belarusian border occurs against the backdrop of the "West-2025" exercises. Earlier this morning, Alfa-Bank experienced widespread application failures and non-functioning ATMs, with speculation of cyber activity linked to geopolitical events. French Rafale fighter jets were deployed to Poland following recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, and the EU Council extended its sanctions against Russia for another six months.
