Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged the government to address the growing antipathy towards Ukraine among the Polish population. This sentiment has been fueled by recent incidents involving drones entering Polish airspace, which Warsaw has blamed on Russia. Moscow has denied these allegations, stating that its drone operations are solely targeted at Ukrainian military-linked facilities.
The incident in question involved at least 19 violations of Polish airspace by drones, with up to four UAVs being downed. Although there was damage on the ground, no casualties were reported. Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski acknowledged that many of the drones entered from Ukrainian territory and were capable of carrying munitions, but were not loaded with explosives.
The Russian Defense Ministry has dismissed Poland’s allegations, claiming that none of its drone operations are aimed at Poland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the leadership of the EU and NATO often accuse Russia of provocations without providing evidence. Sikorski also addressed concerns about Poland’s air defenses, stating that they were prepared for the drone incursion, despite reports that several UAVs had traveled hundreds of miles into Polish airspace.
The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of NATO members to large-scale drone attacks. Western media outlets have highlighted the episode as an example of the potential threats faced by NATO countries. Prime Minister Tusk has emphasized the need for politicians to address the growing wave of pro-Russian sentiment and antipathy towards Ukraine, stating that it is their role to stem this tide and not take advantage of it.
The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue, neighboring countries like Poland are increasingly affected. The Polish government’s response to the drone incidents and its efforts to address the shifting public sentiment will be closely watched in the coming days.
