‘Russian incursion is intentional’: EU, NATO condemn attack on Poland; Zelenskyy warns of escalation | World News

The European Union has expressed its complete solidarity with Poland after drones from a Russian attack in western Ukraine Wednesday entered Polish airspace, the EU Council President Antonio Costa said, news agency Reuters reported.Calling the attack a “deliberate provocation,” NATO shared it was in close consultation with Poland following the incursion that led to the temporary closure of Warsaw and other major airports. Its spokesperson, in a post on X, updated that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “is in touch with Polish leadership.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an escalation against Russia, declaring that Poland was targeted at least eight drones during the massive strike, Reuters reported.
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Following the incursion, Polish Prime Miner Donald Tusk called an emergency meeting with security miners early Wednesday, which comes just days after a stray missile was found in one of the country’s villages. “This is the first time Russian drones have been shot down over the territory of a NATO country. All our allies are taking the situation very seriously. We have not recorded any casualties,” Tusk said during the emergency meeting.
The Polish armed forces said the drones deemed dangerous were immediately shot down, with no casualties reported. Tusk added that the situation is under control and that Poland is ready to respond to any attacks or provocations.
‘Entry of Russian drones into Polish airspace was intentional’: EU
EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Russian drone entry into European airspace appears deliberate, not accidental. “Russia’s war is escalating, not ending. We must raise the cost on Moscow, strengthen support for Ukraine, and invest in Europe’s defence,” Kallas said, as per a Reuters report.Story continues below this ad
A NATO spokesperson confirmed the same in a statement to Reuters that the drone incursion is not being treated as accidental. “It was the first time NATO aircraft have engaged potential threats in allied airspace,” the source said, adding that initial reports suggest an intentional invasion of at least six to ten drones.
According to the source, NATO’s Patriot air defence systems in the area detected the drones on their radars but did not engage them. Overnight, several NATO aircraft coordinated the response. Polish F-16 fighter jets, Dutch F-35s, and Italian AWACS surveillance planes, along with mid-air refuelling aircraft, were all involved in the operation, Reuters report noted.
EU Council President Costa, meanwhile, wrote over a post on X. “Last night’s events are a stark reminder that the security of one is the security of all.”
“Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine and reckless airspace incursions into EU Member States pose a direct threat to the safety of all Europeans and to critical infrastructure across our continent,” he added.Story continues below this ad
In a post on social media, NATO chief spokesperson Allison Hart said that “numerous drones entered Polish airspace overnight and were met with Polish and NATO air defenses.”
‘Simply unacceptable’: France PM Macron
France’s President Emmanuel Macron called the incursion “simply unacceptable” and said he would soon speak with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
“We will not compromise on the security of allies,” Reuters quoted Macron.
‘At least eight drones targeted Poland’: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared that Poland was targeted at least eight drones during a massive Russian strike in Ukraine involving around 415 drones and over 40 missiles, news agency Reuters reported.Story continues below this ad
“Today there was another step of escalation – Russian-Iranian ‘shaheds’ operated in the airspace of Poland, in NATO airspace. It was not just one ‘shahed’ that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland,” the Ukrainian President wrote on X.
“The Russians must feel the consequences. Russia must understand that the war cannot be expanded and must come to an end,” he wrote, adding, “The pause in sanctions has gone on far too long. A strong response is needed from Ukraine’s allies.”
A total of around 415 drones and over 40 missiles were deployed in the attack on Ukraine, which spanned 15 Ukrainian regions, killing one person in the Zhytomyr region and injuring three more in Khmelnytskyi region, he added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign miner Andrii Sybiha called on neighbouring countries to use their air defence to intercept aerial targets over Ukraine. “Ukraine has suggested such step for a long time. It needs to be taken for the sake of collective security,” Sybiha wrote on X.