Poland shoots down Russian drones violating airspace

A huge number of Russian drones violated Polish airspace late Tuesday night and were shot down jointly by Polish and NATO pilots, according to several Wednesday morning statements from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. About eight Russian drones entered Polish airspace, and emerging evidence suggested it was no accident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said early Wednesday morning.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned Russia’s airspace violation during a Wednesday morning address, and reaffirmed NATO’s solidarity with Poland. Last night’s violation was not an isolated incident, and a full assessment is ongoing, Rutte said. Intentional or otherwise, flying drones over Poland was absolutely reckless and NATO stands ready to defend every inch of its territory, he added. Rutte also called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop escalating its regional aggression and end its years-long war on Ukraine.

Swaths of European neighbors also came to Poland's defense and condemned Russia’s actions, including Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reaffirmed European solidarity against the move she described as reckless and unprecedented.

What has Russia said? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the motive behind the airspace incursion on Wednesday morning and suggested asking Russia’s Defense Ministry. Russian ally Belarus claimed Wednesday morning that the drones strayed off course during routine strikes on Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine were engaging in back-and-forth drone strikes when some of Russia’s drones went off course due to electronic warfare measures, Belarus General Staff chief Pavel Muraveiko said. Both Poland and the Republic of Lithuania were warned that the lost drones were approaching their territories, Muraveiko continued. Poland also warned Belarusian combat units of unidentified aerial vehicles approaching from Ukraine, he added.

The airspace violation came hours after Belarus condemned Poland for failing to recognize the Russian ally's diplomat. Belarus’ response will follow shortly, the foreign ministry wrote Tuesday afternoon. Noted Belarusian political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya insisted that the Belarusian people did not support the drone violations. Authoritarian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is holding the people hostage, she insisted. Europe will never be safe while Lukashenko continues aiding Russia’s war, Tsikhanouskaya added.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report from Monday about Ukraine’s cabinet building burning after a Russian drone strike.