Donald Tusk confirms 19 drones violated Polish airspace as Russia lashes out over

The Kremlin has declined to comment on Poland’s statement that it had shot down Russian drones in Polish airspace, saying this was a matter for its defence ministry.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters:

This is not within our scope of competence. This is the prerogative of the Ministry of Defence.

When asked about the EU describing it as a ‘provocation’, Peskov said ‘the EU and NATO leadership accuse Russia of provocation on a daily basis’.

Russian Charge d’Affaires in Poland Andrei Ordasz

A Russian diplomat has said drones shot down by Poland in Polish airspace overnight had come from the direction of Ukraine, Russian state news agency RIA reported.

‘We know one thing – these drones were flying from the direction of Ukraine,’ Russia’s charge d’affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, was quoted as saying after leaving the Polish Foreign Ministry.

Ordash was summoned to meet with the Polish government after authorities said Russian drones had violated its airspace.

In earlier comments, Ordash said the claims against Russia were ‘groundless’ as there was ‘no evidence’ the drones were of Russian origin.

Footage has apparently captured the moment one Russian drone was shot down in eastern Poland.

According to reports, a camera caught the device being shot out of the sky in the village of Cześniki where drone fragments were discovered near a cemetery.

If you’re just joining our live coverage, it’s been a morning with fast developments after Poland scrambled its air defense forces overnight to shoot down Russian drones which had crossed into its airspace.

Here’s the main takeaways so far this morning:

• Donald Tusk has claimed Poland is at its closest to armed conflict since the Second World War after 19 Russian drones crossed into its airspace overnight during an attack on Ukraine
• The Polish Prime Minister has invoked NATO Article 4 where member states can raise an issue to its main political decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council
• It comes after eight million Poles were forced to take shelter during a military operation to shoot down drones in the eastern part of the country
• The Polish government has confirmed seven drones and debris from an unknown projectile have been discovered with a house and car damaged but no reports of people injured
• Tusk says 19 drones crossed into Poland overall but Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the number could be as high as 24 as he warned Europe it faces a ‘dangerous precedent’
• Vladimir Putin is yet to respond but a high-ranking Russian diplomat has said there is no evidence to state the drones were flown from Russia as he dismissed the condemnation as ‘groundless’.
• However, European leaders have described the overnight incursion as ‘unacceptable’ with Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer among those to speak out

A house is damaged after a drone struck a house in Wyryki

Poland’s interior ministry has said a house and a car had been damaged in Russia’s overnight violation of Polish airspace, adding that seven drones and debris from an unknown projectile had so far been located.

‘We have found seven drones and projectile debris… of unknown origin,’ interior ministry spokeswoman Karolina Galecka told reporters, adding that a house and a car had also been damaged.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the ‘egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones’ and emphasised the UK’s support for Poland and Ukraine.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said:

This morning’s barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning.

This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin’s blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day.

I have been in touch with the Polish prime minister this morning to make clear our support for Poland, and that we will stand firm in our support for Ukraine.

My sincere thanks go to the Nato and Polish forces who rapidly responded to protect the alliance. With our partners – and through our leadership of the coalition of the willing – we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace.

Emergency services across Poland are inspecting sites where Russian drones were shot down after an incursion on its territory.

Police and ambulance crews have been captured in the Polish village of Wyryki where a house was struck overnight.

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.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said around 24 drones may have crossed into Poland overnight, which is more than what Donald Tusk said entered the nation’s airspace.

In a lengthy post on X, President Zelensky said he had received a report from Ukraine’s air force commander with updated details of Russian activity.

The number of Russian drones that traversed into Poland and penetrated deeply into its territory may be greater than the previously announced figure. According to updated data, around two dozen of Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace during the night. We are verifying this.

Poland’s Prime Minister has chillingly warned that ‘we are closer to war than any time since WW2’ as he issued a plea for support from allies after Putin’s suicide drones were pictured on NATO soil following their overnight shootdown.

It comes after Warsaw blasted Russia’s ‘act of aggression’ amid fears he is testing the West’s defences and escalating the war in Ukraine, in Russia’s largest escalation of the war yet.

It was reported in Polish media that Tusk has requested the triggering of NATO’s Article 4, where member countries can bring an issue to the attention of the North Atlantic Council. Poland’s security council will also meet to discuss an ‘appropriate response’.

More than eight million Poles were ordered to hide in their homes as the drones flew overhead, with debris from one shot-down device crashing into a house. Kyiv raised concerns about Russia’s motives after Poland scrambled aircraft alongside allies to shoot down ‘hostile objects’ violating its airspace.

Read the full story here:

The Netherlands’ air force provided support in shooting down Russian drones over Poland overnight, Prime Minister Dick Schoof said today.

‘It is good that Dutch F35 fighter jets were able to provide support,’ he said on X. ‘The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with our NATO ally Poland.’

Schoof said the ‘violation’ of Polish airspace by Russian drones was ‘further evidence that Russia’s aggressive war poses a threat to European security’.

He said he had expressed his support to the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and had contact with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The Dutch defence ministry said earlier this year it would deploy F-35 jets to Poland for three months from September 1 to help patrol the airspace.

According to NATO, Article 4 has been invoked seven times since the alliance was formed in 1949.

Turkey formally invoked Article 4, asking for defensive assistance from NATO following a threat to its population resulting from armed conflict in Iraq.

Turkey requested a council meeting under Article 4 after one of its fighter jets was shot down by Syrian air defence forces.

Turkey requested Article 4 consultations when five civilians were killed by Syrian shells. NATO agreed to this defensive assistance

Poland invoked Article 4 following increasing tensions in neighbouring Ukraine, as a result of Russia’s aggressive actions.

Turkey requested NATO assistance in view of terrorist attacks against its security forces, including the deadly Suruç bombing on July 20th

Turkey requested consultations following the death of Turkish soldiers in air strikes by the Syrian regime in Idlib province.

Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia requested to hold consultations under Article 4 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Donald Tusk confirmed Poland had invoked NATO’s Article 4 for urgent talks after Russian drones violated its airspace.

‘The allied consultations I am referring to have now taken the form of a formal request to invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty,’ Tusk told parliament.

If Article 4 is triggered, it means members can raise an issue to its main political decision-making body.

Members can do so for consultations when they believe their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.

Previously, NATO has responsed by offering defensive assistance.

Wednesday’s talks are the third time Article 4 has been invoked to address Russia’s incursions into and invasion of Ukraine.

NATO’s collective security is based on its Article 5 principle: if one member is attacked, the entire alliance comes to its defence.

That article has only been invoked once in the history of NATO, following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

Following his emergency cabinet meeting, Donald Tusk praised Poland’s military response to a drone incursion, saying the ‘first test has been passed’.

Tusk confirmed no one had been injured by the drones and that the search for wreckage was continuing.

Commenting on the response of the Polish armed forces, he said:

The procedures worked, the decision-making process was flawless, and the threat was eliminated thanks to the determined stance of the commanders, soldiers and allies. The first test for our military, our allies and our procedures has been passed.

A Russian diplomat has said Poland has provided evidence the drones shot down in Poland were of Russian origin, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported.

‘We see the accusations as groundless. No evidence that these drones are of Russian origin has been presented,’ Andrey Ordash, Russia’s charge d’affaires in Poland, was quoted as saying.

by Mark Nicol, Defence Editor

British forces were not directly involved in the rush to defend Polish airspace, defence sources confirmed this morning.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to make a statement early today.

British troops, air defence systems and aircraft are based in eastern Poland.

These assets include RAF Typhoon jets and C-17 and A400 transport aircraft.The jets are deployed as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing role.

The transporters facilitate the provision of UK military aid to Ukraine.

Rapid response aircraft from the air forces of the Netherlands, Italy and the United States were scrambled last night to protect NATO airspace.

The Prime Minister has also confirmed 19 drones crossed into Poland overnight.

Earlier, it was reported up to 10 drones had been identified in the incursion.

Tusk says a large number of drones entered the country from Belarus with the last to be shot down at 6.45am local time (5.45am UK time).

He said ‘three or four’ Russian drones were shot down by Polish and NATO aircraft which posed a ‘direct threat’ to the nation.

Donald Tusk has reportedly claimed there is no reason to claim Poland is at war following an emergency meeting with top officials.

However, he did say his country is the closest to armed conflict since the Second World War.

I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before,” the Polish prime minsters tells parliament. This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.

Life will go on as normal. At this moment, there is no reason to introduce restrictions that would make citizens’ daily lives more difficult.

We are evaluating future needs — this situation shows how crucial not only investments are, but also the coordination of actions and simple procedures in order to respond appropriately.

Meanwhile, Mr Tusk has requested NATO Article 4 to be triggered, meaning members can consult with others when they believe their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.

The Russian incursion has caused major disruption to flights in Poland today with several delays at the capital’s Chopin international airport.

The airport was one of four that was temporarily shut to allow the military to shoot down ‘hostile’ drones.

The airspace over the Polish capital Warsaw’s Chopin airport has reopened, the airport said in a statement on X, adding that disruptions and delays may last throughout the day.

Here is a map detailing the locations where Russian drones were shot down in Poland following the incursion into the country’s airspace:

Israel carried out strikes in Doha to target Hamas leaders

Russia has so far remained silent on the incursion into Polish airspace.

But its foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s attack against Hamas members in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday and urged all parties to refrain from any action which would further escalate the conflict.

In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry said:

Russia considers this incident a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter, an encroachment on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent state, and a step leading to further escalation and destabilisation of the situation in the Middle East. Such methods of fighting those whom Israel considers its enemies and opponents deserve the strongest condemnation.

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.

Read the full story here:

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

Here’s our top story below: