Strengthening NATO's Eastern Flank (nato.int)

• Eight multinational battlegroups are stationed along the eastern flank, led by framework nations such as Italy, the UK, and the US.
• NATO has enhanced integrated air and missile defense and maritime activities like Baltic Sentry to protect critical undersea infrastructure.
• Eastern Sentry, launched in September 2025, increases vigilance after a surge in Russian drone and aircraft incursions.

"NATO has reinforced its eastern flank with eight multinational battlegroups deployed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Initially battalion-sized, they have been scaled up to brigade-size after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The battlegroups are defensive, rotational, and integrated into NATO's command structure. Additionally, NATO has bolstered air and missile defense, naval presence (Baltic Sentry), and launched Eastern Sentry in response to increased Russian airspace violations."