Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday that a violation of Polish airspace by several Russian drones overnight was a major provocation aimed at EU and NATO members.
"Last night we experienced a violation of Polish airspace by a significant number of Russian drones," he said, denouncing the "large-scale provocation".
European Union
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Wednesday that Russia appeared to have intentionally violated Polish airspace, after Warsaw scrambled jets to shoot down drones.
"Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental," Kallas wrote on X.
"The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. Russia's war is escalating, not ending," Kallas wrote.
EU chief von der Leyen on Wednesday said Russia had carried out a "reckless and unprecedented" violation of Polish airspace.
"Just today, we have seen a reckless and unprecedented violation of Poland and Europe's airspace by more than 10 Russian Shahid drones," Von der Leyen told EU lawmakers.
"Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland," she said.
NATO
NATO air defenses helped counter drones that entered Polish airspace overnight and alliance chief Mark Rutte is in contact with Warsaw, a NATO spokeswoman said Wednesday.
"Numerous drones entered Polish airspace overnight and were met with Polish and NATO air defenses. The NATO Secretary General is in touch with Polish leadership and NATO is consulting closely with Poland," spokeswoman Allison Hart wrote on X.
Hart said NATO ambassadors were holding a regular meeting Wednesday morning and "will discuss how NATO responded to the drones that entered Poland overnight."
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday pushed for a common air defense system with Kyiv's European allies as he accused Russia of "deliberately targeting" neighboring Poland by flying drones through its airspace in an overnight attack.
"Ukraine has long proposed to its partners the creation of a joint air defense system to ensure the guaranteed downing of 'Shaheds', other drones, and missiles through the combined strength of our combat aviation and air defenses," Zelensky said on social media.
Netherland
The Netherlands' air force provided support in shooting down Russian drones over Poland overnight, Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Wednesday.
"It is good that Dutch F35 fighter jets were able to provide support," he said on X. "The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with our NATO ally Poland."
France
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones were "simply unacceptable" and urged Moscow to stop its "reckless behaviour".
"The incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine is simply unacceptable," Macron said on X. "I call on Russia to put an end to this reckless behaviour," he said.
Russia
The Kremlin on Wednesday declined to comment on a drone incursion into Poland, after the NATO member said it had downed several Russian drones overnight, accusing Moscow of violating its airspace during an attack on Ukraine.
"We prefer not to comment, it is not within our competence, it is the prerogative of the ministry of defence," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, including AFP, in a briefing call.
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