NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich are scheduled to hold a press conference at NATO Headquarters today at 17:00 UTC amid reports of significant drone activity over Poland and Ukraine and concurrent military exercises by Russia's Northern and Pacific Fleets. The press conference comes after Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated this morning that approximately 400 drones and 40 missiles flew over Ukraine, while 19 Russian drones traversed Polish airspace during the night of September 12th, 2025. Sikorski emphasized these were not accidental incursions, according to a social media post. In parallel, Russia's Zapad military exercises are underway, with activity reported in the Northern Fleet, and separately, the Pacific Fleet is also active. The relationship of the Pacific Fleet's actions to the Zapad scenario is currently unknown. Earlier in the reporting window, drone strikes targeted Russia's largest oil-loading port, Primorsk, causing a fire at an oil loading point, confirmed by the Leningrad governor. Drone strikes were also reported in Polish airspace during this period. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly views these drone attacks as an 'air defense test' that encourages further action, according to the Financial Times. Separately, experts are responding to statements made by the Russian Ambassador to Sweden regarding Bucha and Russian politics in Ukraine, with claims that facts contradict Russian propaganda. The Russian cargo plane Il-76MD CANDID RA-76370 NKP8371, previously reported to have flown over Ukrainian airspace between 8:16 AM and 8:46 AM UTC, has had its trajectory and intent debated, with some sources suggesting it was a provocation to elicit radar responses rather than a direct overflight of Ukrainian territory. This morning, Japan announced new sanctions against 47 Russian companies and nine individuals, including asset freezes and a reduced price cap on Russian crude oil imports to $47.6 per barrel. Germany's Ministry of Finance has also significantly cut its planned military aid for 2026 and 2027.
