NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated this at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on September 23, answering journalists’ questions about whether NATO would shoot down Russian aircraft and drones that intrude into its airspace, a correspondent of European Truth reported.Rutte explained that NATO’s decisions on whether to down Russian aircraft would depend on their potential threat in real time. He noted that such decisions were always made based on available intelligence regarding the level of danger, including factors such as intent, armament, and possible risks to Alliance forces, civilians, or infrastructure.The secretary general also underlined that NATO’s Allied Command Operations in Europe, under the leadership of Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich, had the authority, responsibility, and full capabilities to make such decisions.Commenting on the recent violation of Estonian airspace, he said that NATO forces had quickly intercepted and escorted the aircraft without escalation, as no immediate threat had been identified.