Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged the government to confront the growing antipathy toward Ukraine among the Polish population. He warned that politicians must work to stem this tide rather than exploit it, emphasizing their responsibility to address the rising pro‑Russian sentiment.
The call comes after a series of drone incidents that have heightened tensions. At least 19 violations of Polish airspace were recorded, with up to four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being downed. Although the incursions caused damage on the ground, no casualties were reported. Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski noted that many of the drones entered from Ukrainian territory and were capable of carrying munitions, but they were not loaded with explosives.
Warsaw has blamed Russia for the incursions, a claim Moscow denies. The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that none of its drone operations target Poland, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized EU and NATO leaders for accusing Russia of provocations without presenting 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 episode has raised broader worries about the vulnerability of NATO members to large‑scale drone attacks, with Western media highlighting it as an example of the potential threats facing the alliance.
The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region as tensions between Russia and Ukraine persist. Neighboring countries like Poland are increasingly affected, and the Polish government’s response to the drone incidents and its efforts to manage shifting public sentiment will be closely watched in the coming days.
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