Poland Poles and NATO officials say Russian drones violated the country’s airspace earlier on Wednesday, and NATO officials say some European leaders believe it was a “deliberate” escalation by European leaders Moscow.
This is not the first time since, people of drones believe to be Russian ancestry crossed NATO airspace Russia’s Invasion Ukraine In February 2022. But this seems to be the first time those planes were shot down by NATO members’ troops. “This is the first time that NATO aircraft have encountered a potential threat in Allied airspace,” said Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesman for NATO’s highest ally Europe.
The incident marked a serious escalation, Polish leaders said.
“I have no reason to claim that we are on the brink of war, but have crossed a line, which is more dangerous than before,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told his parliament on Wednesday.
“This situation has left us open to conflict since World War II,” he said.
Nineteen drones reportedly entered Polish airspace. At least four of them were reportedly shot down, although other media reports on Wednesday indicated that the number could be higher. The Polish military is still looking for all the crash sites on Wednesday morning.
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Aircraft from several NATO countries participated in shooting down drones. It is reported that in addition to Polish aircraft, the Netherlands also supported the operation with its own F-35 fighter jets.
The Kremlin did not comment immediately. but Russia’s The state-owned TASS News agency emphasized in the report: “No official information about the origin of this has been provided yet [drone] The wreckage was found. ”
The drone seems to have crossed Poland It is reportedly from Belarus. In fact, Belarus said it also shot down some drones in the airspace that deviated from the route due to electronic support.
But European leaders say the incident represents a dangerous escalation Moscow. Some officials immediately rejected the idea that this was an accident.
“last night Polandwe see the worst European space violations Russia Since the beginning of the war, there have been signs that this was intentional, not accidental.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the incident is the latest example of a threat Russia Posing to Europe.
“It is obvious that Russian aggression poses a danger to every independent country in our region, so reliable security can only be guaranteed by joint and coordinated actions,” he said.
Leaders from Britain, France and other European countries have also slammed the obvious drone invasion.
Drone shooting is the latest in a series of deadly attacks on Kyiv’s heels on a huge Russian drone.
The incident also ends when President Trump pushes for a ceasefire agreement to end Russia–Ukraine war. Some European countries say they are willing to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine Execute such a transaction.