Poland Warns Russia Is Planning Drone or Rocket Strikes on NATO Territory

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned on Thursday that Russia is plotting hybrid attacks using drones or rockets against European nations supporting Ukraine, including Poland. In a speech to the Polish parliament, Tusk stated that Russia intends to make residents believe these assaults are "incidents" to "paralyze or weaken the motivation of NATO countries" to defend vulnerable members.

Tusk warned that there is a real risk of drones or projectiles entering the territory of one or multiple countries on the eastern flank, potentially causing damage. He explained that Russia is more dangerous due to its growing use of jet-powered drones, which are harder to detect by air defense systems. Tusk has been warning for months that Russia might prepare a more serious hybrid attack against a NATO country, receiving intelligence from NATO, Ukrainian, and U.S. secret services, including the CIA.

Recently, Tusk indicated Russia is focusing on targeting border crossings between Ukraine and its European neighbors to disrupt delivery lines to Ukraine. Four such incidents have occurred on Poland's border with Ukraine in the past week, with several others happening on Ukraine's border with Moldova. Tusk stated that Russia is not ready for any peace talks "without the total capitulation of Ukraine."

He added that Russia's objective is to destroy Ukraine's economy and logistics, anticipating continuous high-frequency and intense attacks on six main Ukrainian cities. Tusk announced he would travel to Ukraine over the weekend to discuss defense strategies against new drone types and further sanctions against Russia with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other partners, including Slovakia.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced "major progress" in establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland after a delegation visited possible locations last week.