Poland has warned that Russia and Europe are edging closer to an "open conflict" after Warsaw shot down what it described as Russian drones entering Polish airspace.
Russia denied targeting Poland, while U.S. President Donald Trump accused the Kremlin of "violating" the territory of a NATO ally amid Moscow’s latest attack on Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that at least three drones were shot down after Warsaw and its allies scrambled jets in response.
Tusk also cautioned that the situation—three and a half years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths—risks escalating further, calling for urgent talks with NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the European Union characterized the drone incident as a test of the alliance's resolve. Zelenskyy described the airspace violation as a "dangerous precedent" and urged a strong response from Kyiv’s allies, criticizing Western and global leaders for their "lack of action" regarding the intrusion.
European capitals swiftly condemned the incident, criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin over the escalation.