Polish PM Donald Tusk vows nation is ready for Russian ‘provocation’ after eight million people are forced to take shelter during airspace ‘violation’: Live updates

Belarus has claimed it informed Poland and Lithuania of drones which went astray because of electronic jamming during strikes between Russia and Ukraine.

Belarus’ Chief of the General Staff Major General Pavel Muraveiko did not say whose drones went astray in a statement released this morning.

He added his country, a close ally of Russia, shot down some drones which had become ‘lost’.

In a statement issued in English he said:

During the night-time exchange of strikes by UAVs between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the Air Defence Forces and assets of the Republic of Belarus on duty continuously tracked UAVs that had lost their track as a result of the impact of the parties’ electronic warfare assets.

Some of the lost drones were destroyed by our country’s Air Defence Forces over the territory of the republic.

He added that Poland and Lithuania were informed of the approach of the drones.

Polish media outlet Telewizja Republika has published a picture of what it reports is a Russian drone found in Poland following the incursion into the country’s airspace.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the incursion of drones during a Russian attack on western Ukraine into Polish airspace was ‘simply unacceptable,’ adding that he would speak soon to NATO chief Mark Rutte.

In a post on X, President Macron said:

The incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace during an attack carried out by Russia against Ukraine is simply unacceptable. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I call on Russia to put an end to this headlong rush. I reiterate to the Polish people and its government our full solidarity. I will soon meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. We will not compromise on the security of the Allies.

Joint Russian-Belorussian drills were carried out in 2023

Observers have indicated that Vladimir Putin may be laying the groundwork for a future invasion of Poland or other NATO nations. Since last week, Russia has been preparing to hold its huge military drills, which take place every four years. Officials have described them as ‘provocations’.

It has also been noted that the drills typically follow a significant military action, raising fears that Putin could escalate his aggression a step further. Critics have said the drills are rehearsals for future potential attacks on Europe.

Yesterday, it was announced that Poland was shutting its border with Belarus from midnight on Thursday in response to the Zapad exercise, a collaboration between Russia and Belarus.

Tusk said: ‘We are facing a growing number of provocations from Russia and Belarus.’

Russian drones and missiles have entered the airspace of NATO members – including Poland – several times during Russia’s three-and-a-half-year war, but a NATO country has never attempted to shoot them down.

A Polish mayor has told how a drone struck a residential building in the village of Wyryki but nobody was injured.

Bernard Blaszczuk, mayor of Wyryki in Lublin Voivodeship, eastern Poland, made the remarks as local media footage showed a house with a damaged roof and the rafters showing.

At 6:45 a.m., I received a phone call from one of the office workers saying something had fallen. A drone or missile definitely hit the roof; we don’t know at this point … The police are providing security, and we have a crisis management team on site.

Elsewhere in eastern Poland’s Lublin region police said they found a damaged drone in the village of Czosnowka.

The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zamosc, also in the Lublin region, said it had been informed of the discovery of drone components, near a cemetery in the town of Czesniki.

Russia’s ‘unprecedented violation’ of Polish air space was branded an ‘act of war’ by a pro-Trump Congressman as Polish leaders planned an ‘extraordinary meeting’ to respond.

NATO leaders scrambled to immediately address the first military incident between the countries since the 2022 Ukraine invasion after Poland said it shot down military drones that ‘repeatedly violated’ its airspace.

‘Moscow always pushes the boundaries of what is possible,’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday. ‘And if it does not encounter a strong reaction, it remains at the new level of escalation.’

Republican rep. Joe Wilson said Russia was ‘attacking NATO ally Poland’ with drones, calling it an ‘act of war’.

‘I urge President Trump to respond with mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia,’ he said.

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Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Poland was deliberately targeted in a Russian drone attack overnight.

‘Increasing evidence indicates that this movement, this direction of strike, was no accident,’ Zelenskiy wrote on X.

‘Ukraine is also ready to help Poland build an effective system of warning and protection against such Russian threats.’

Meanwhile, Reuters is reporting that initial indications show the incident was an intentional incursion, according to a NATO source.

Russia has so far remained silent.

Antonio Costa and Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Tuesday

The European Union stands in full solidarity with Poland after drones from a Russian attack in western Ukraine entered Polish airspace, EU Council President Antonio Costa said this morning

‘Last night’s events are a stark reminder that the security of one is the security of all,’ Costa wrote in a post on X.

‘Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine and reckless airspace incursions into EU Member States pose a direct threat to the safety of all Europeans and to critical infrastructure across our continent,’ he added.

Donald Tusk has said Poland is ready to react to any attacks or provocations after the country shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine.

‘We are dealing with a large-scale provocation…We are ready to repel such provocations. The situation is serious, and no one doubts that we must prepare for various scenarios,’ Donald Tusk said.

NATO said it is discussing Poland’s response this morning.

Drone components have been found near a cemetery in the town of Czesniki, south-eastern Poland, local officials said this morning.

Authorities say no-one has been injured

Meanwhile, another report said Polish police had discovered the wreckage of a Russian attack drone more than 100 miles away, near the village of Czosnówka in eastern Poland, 15 miles from the border with Belarus.

Polish people were were warned not to approach, touch, or move any downed drones or fragments.

Mr Tusk said all drones that posed a ‘direct threat’ to the country were shot down with up to 10 drones believed to have incurred into Polish airspace.

Russian drones and missiles have entered the airspace of NATO members – including Poland – several times during Russia’s three-and-a-half-year war, but a NATO country has never attempted to shoot them down.

A cornerstone of the Western military alliance is the principle that an attack on any member is deemed an attack on all.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga wrote on X that the incursion showed ‘that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s sense of impunity keeps growing because he was not properly punished for his previous crimes’.

Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West. The longer he faces no strength in response, the more aggressive he gets. A weak response now will provoke Russia even more – and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe.

NATO members have condemned what was described by an ‘entirely unacceptable’ violation of Poland’s airspace as Nordic and Baltic countries pledged their support.

Here’s some of the reaction across Europe

• Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine poses a threat to the security of all of Europe. Poland has every right to defend its airspace. We give our full support to Poland, as a NATO ally and EU member. Sweden and Poland stand united in our support for Ukraine.

• Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvič

Full support and solidarity with our Polish friends and allies over the incursion of Russian drones in Poland. Clear testimony that Russian aggression in Ukraine affects us directly and appropriate measures must be taken. Allies are and should be working together.

• Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide

The overnight violations of Polish airspace are deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable. I welcome the close coordination between Polish authorities and NATO. Norway reaffirms its steadfast support for our ally Poland and our shared commitment to European security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russian drones entering Polish airspace marked an ‘extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.’

Zelensky said eight Russian drones were ‘aimed toward’ Poland in an overnight barrage launched by Moscow

‘It was not just one Shahed that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland,’ Zelensky said, referring to Iranian-designed drones deployed by Moscow, adding that the incident represented ‘An extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.’

Zelenskiy added that Russia had deployed a total of around 415 drones and over 40 missiles in overnight attacks.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk released the following statement at the time of the Russian incursion.

An operation is being conducted involving multiple violations of Polish airspace. The military used weapons against targets.

I am in constant contact with the president and the defense minister. I have received a direct report from the operation commander.

The Polish leader later added:

I received a report from the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces Branches regarding the downing of drones that intruded into our airspace and could have posed a threat. The operation is ongoing.

Mr Tusk called an emergency session with his security ministers for 7am UK time.

Russian drones above Kyiv during the latest missile strikes on Ukraine

If you’re just joining us this morning, here’s what’s been happening in Eastern Europe as Poland scrambled its defense systems for the first time since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began.

• Poland shut down four airports, Chopin, Modlin, Rzeszów-Jasionka and Lublin, after Russian drones entered its airspace in the early hours this morning during an attack in Ukraine
• Reports indicated around ten Shahed-2 drone incursions into Polish air space with at least four shot down.
• 8.6 million Poles were ordered not to leave their homes due to the unprecedented operation by the Polish Air Force to repel the ‘drone invasion’.
• Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned the drones ‘could have posed a threat’ as he remained in constant contact with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
• One report said Polish police had discovered the wreckage of a Russian attack drone, near the village of Czosnówka in eastern Poland, 15 miles from the border with Belarus.
• Russia has remained silent on the incident so far.
• Polish airspace has since reopened

Good morning and welcome to the Daily Mail’s live coverage as Poland scrambles its air defenses in response to Russian drones entering its airspace.

Reports indicated around ten Shahed-2 drone incursions into Polish air space with at least four shot down.

The action marks Poland’s first engagement since the Russia-Ukraine war began.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for European leaders to hold an emergency meeting following the attack

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