WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The downing of Russian drones over Poland, the first direct encounter between NATO and Moscow since the war in Ukraine began, jolted leaders across Europe on Wednesday and raised urgent questions about how prepared the alliance is against growing Russian aggression.

The kits are meant as a rapid-response solution when other options aren't enough, though deployment could be faster.

Cheaper than advanced air defenses and more versatile than low-tech options, lasers have become a popular choice for nations worried about drone attacks.

In the week since NATO fighter jets scrambled to shoot down multiple dozens of Russian drones that had crossed into alliance airspace in Poland, US and Western intelligence officials have been unable to determine whether the incursion was accidental or an intentional effort by Russia to probe western air defenses and gauge NATO’s response.

Ukraine has ramped up strikes on energy sites to increase pressure on Russia, which relies on revenue from oil and gas exports.

The challenge lies in the number of ground control systems, radars, and related components, some of which utilize artificial intelligence for precision targeting, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said.