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Poland’s PM Tusk says ‘huge number’ of drones entered Polish airspace during major attack on western Ukraine
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Donald Trump is set to speak with Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki, after Russian drones entered Polish air space in an unprecedented incursion into Nato territory.
Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action overnight after the drones entered its airspace during a major air attack on western Ukraine.
Prime minister Donald Tusk activated Article 4 of the Nato treaty, demanding discussion with its member states, as he said Poland was closer to conflict than it had ever been since the Second World War.
But Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
As European and Nato countries rally to Poland’s defence, the US has vowed that it will help defend Nato territory following the incursion. The US would defend “every inch of Nato territory”, Washington’s ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said.
It is unclear when Trump’s talks with Nawrocki, reported by the BBC, will take place.
A total of 19 objects intruded into Polish airspace overnight with many drones entering from Belarus, Mr Tusk later said parliament. There have been no injury reports.
Three drones are confirmed to have been shot down, amid reports of drone or drone-like debris in the eastern villages of Czosnowka, Czesniki and Wyryki, and the central village of Mniszkow.
Poland has received offers of support for its air defence from its European allies, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after talking to leaders of France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine and NATO.
“In my conversations today… I received not only expressions of solidarity with Poland, but above all proposals for concrete support for the air defence of our country,” Tusk wrote on X after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones in its airspace on Wednesday.
Poland has warned it is closer to conflict than at any point since World War 2 after after Russian drones entered its airspace in an unprecedented incursion into Nato territory.
Polish air defences were scrambled after 19 projectiles drones entered its airspace during a major attack on western Ukraine, prime minister Donald Tusk said.
It marks the first time a Nato country has fired any bullets in relation to Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine since it began in 2022. Mr Tusk has invoked Article 4 of the Nato treaty, demanding consultation with its member states.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that an incursion into Poland by Russian drones meant Europe had to work on creating a joint air defence and an “effective air shield.”
“We need to work on a joint system of air defence and create an effective air shield over Europe,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram after speaking by telephone to Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte and other European leaders.
“Ukraine proposed this a long time ago. There are concrete decisions on this. We must react together to all current challenges and be prepared for potential threats to all Europeans in the future.”
Sir Keir Starmer has spoken with leaders of Ukraine, Poland, Italy and NATO to condemn Russia’s violation of Poland’s airspace.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the leaders of Ukraine, Poland and Italy, as well as the NATO Secretary General this afternoon.
“The Prime Minister began by condemning the outrageous violation of Poland’s airspace. This highlighted Russia’s increased recklessness in recent weeks, including their attacks on the Cabinet of Ministers building, British Council and EU Delegation buildings in Kyiv, he added
“Russia’s ongoing aggression was unacceptable and continued to show why President Putin had no interest in peace, the Prime Minister added.
“The UK stood ready to support NATO and Poland to continue to defend the Alliance in the coming days and weeks, while also working with allies to step up support for Ukraine to ensure it had the capability and air defence it required, the Prime Minister said.
“The Secretary General updated on the meeting of the North Atlantic Council earlier today, and the leaders paid tribute to Poland’s swift response to this morning’s events.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.”
Poland shot down suspected Russian drones in its airspace on Wednesday with the backing of aircraft from its NATO allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament it was “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two”, though he also said he had “no reason to believe we’re on the brink of war”.
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has shared a statement of solidarity with Poland following Russia’s violation of Polish airspace.
“NATO Allies stand in solidarity with Poland & denounce Russia’s reckless behaviour after the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.
“Allies are resolved to defend every inch of Allied territory. We’ll closely monitor the situation, our air defences continually at the ready.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the facts previously presented by the Russian Defence Ministry effectively debunk what it described as “myths” about Russian drones deliberately crossing into Polish territory.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said earlier on Wednesday that its drones had carried out a major attack on military facilities in western Ukraine but stressed that there were no plans to hit any targets in Poland.
The ministry also expressed readiness to hold consultations with its Polish counterpart to address the issue. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was prepared to take part in such talks.
US president Donald Trump has issued a statement on Truth Social following Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace.
“What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”
Trump is set to speak to Poland’s president following the incident.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned Russia’s attack on Polish airspace with a statement on X.
“Russia has endangered human lives in a state that belongs to both NATO and the EU. This reckless approach fits into a long chain of provocations in the Baltic Sea region and along NATO’s eastern flank,” he said.
“It is good that Poland, together with its NATO allies, was able to recognize and eliminate this danger in a timely manner.
“At Poland’s request, the NATO Council has today discussed the Russian approach under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty. NATO is and remains ready to defend.”
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