Poland warns Russia plans hybrid drone strikes on NATO allies

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia is planning hybrid-style drone and missile strikes against NATO members and other nations supporting Ukraine, including Poland itself, as the conflict enters a critical phase.

Tusk cited intelligence assessments showing that Russia intends to frame such incidents as accidental to undermine NATO's collective resolve. He stated that Russia aims to weaken NATO's integrity by suggesting that Article 5 collective defence provisions are "more theoretical than practical" and to convince member states that allied support is unreliable. Tusk warned that "there is a real risk that drones or other types of projectiles could be launched into the territory of one or more NATO countries on the eastern flank, and could even cause damage, and the official narrative will be that this is an accident."

Tusk emphasized that Poland, as a border country, will likely face "provocations and incidents far more dangerous than those we have faced so far," though he noted there is no intelligence suggesting a conventional invasion. He expressed concern that some Western politicians are seeking excuses not to defend NATO's eastern members, stating that "many politicians are currently just looking for an excuse: we won't die for Poland; we won't die for Latvia or Lithuania."

Addressing domestic political divisions, Tusk warned opposition parties that "inciting hostility towards the European Union, towards our allies and towards Ukrainians is simply implementing Russia's strategy." He called for unity across Polish political parties on security matters, stating that the nation would hold leaders accountable for their response to the threat.

Tusk also indicated that Russia is unlikely to pursue serious negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine "at least until the end of winter," as Moscow believes winter will create a crisis situation for Ukraine.