According to AFP, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as a provocation of major proportions. It was the first time that Russian drones had been shot down over NATO territory, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk. All allies took the incident very seriously.
Tusk further stated that no one was injured in the nighttime launch. The search for the drone debris is ongoing. The head of government appealed to the population to remain calm, not to panic, or to fall prey to Russian disinformation campaigns.
Tusk is said to have requested the invocation of Article 4 of the NATO Treaty. Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty stipulates that NATO member states shall consult each other if the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of an alliance partner is threatened.
Russia rejects allegations
We consider the allegations to be unfounded. No evidence has been presented that these drones are of Russian origin, said Andrei Ordash, the chargé d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, according to RIA Novosti.
He pointed out that a similar accusation in the past had ultimately turned out to be false. Russia is absolutely not interested in escalating relations with Poland, the diplomat said. Unfortunately, this is being ignored by the Polish government due to Russophobic sentiment, he added.
Rutte condemns absolutely reckless behavior
Following the violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones, NATO condemned Moscow's reckless behavior. At a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday morning, the allies expressed their solidarity with Poland, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Regardless of whether it was a deliberate violation of airspace or not, Russia's behavior was absolutely reckless and absolutely dangerous, Rutte stated. The NATO Secretary General concluded with a message to Putin: We will defend every inch of NATO territory.
EU-Kallas: Signs of deliberate violation
Last night in Poland, we witnessed the most serious violation of European airspace by Russia since the beginning of the war, and indications indicate that it was deliberate and not accidental, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. She is in contact with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland.
Zelensky: Dangerous precedent for Europe
Moscow always pushes the boundaries of what is possible, and if there is no strong response, it will remain at the new level of escalation, Zelensky writes on X after Russian drones were shot down in Polish airspace.
Today there was a further escalation – Russian-Iranian 'Shaheds' operated in Polish airspace, in NATO airspace, the Ukrainian president explained. It wasn't just one 'Shahed,' which could be considered an accident, but at least eight attack drones aimed at Poland. An extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.
Putin continues to expand his war
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also sharply criticized the drone incident. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will not stop testing the West until he receives a decisive response to Russia's aggression, he declared on X. The Russian president is further expanding his war, he added.
According to Sybiha, a weak reaction now will provoke Russia even more, and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe.
Hard to believe this was pure coincidence
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his solidarity with his neighboring country and NATO partner. Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening all of Europe and systematically testing how far he can go, the liberal-conservative politician criticized on X.
Fiala emphasized:"We stand behind Poland because the Poles are our allies on the front line." The nighttime drone attack was a test of the NATO alliance's defense capabilities. It is hard to believe that this was just a coincidence, Fiala warned.
