Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Polish PM Warns Russia May Stage ‘Accidental’ Strikes on NATO
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia might attack countries helping Ukraine.
He said the attacks could use drones or missiles.
Poland and other NATO countries near Russia could possibly be affected.
Tusk said Russia might claim that any damage happened by accident.
He believes this could make NATO countries disagree about how to respond.
He also said the plan could weaken support for Ukraine.
The warning followed a Russian air attack near Poland’s border, although Poland said its airspace was not confirmed to have been breached.
Poland has increased air patrols and Tusk plans to visit Ukraine on Friday.
Donald Tusk said intelligence assessments indicate Russia may plan hybrid drone and missile strikes against Ukraine’s supporters, including Poland.
He warned that weapons could enter NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank and cause damage.
Tusk said Moscow might portray any resulting destruction as an accident, creating uncertainty over how NATO should respond.
He alleged that repeated incidents could weaken support for Ukraine and undermine confidence in NATO’s Article 5 commitment.
Poland has increased eastern air patrols, while Tusk is scheduled to visit Ukraine and meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday.
- Who
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued the warning about alleged Russian plans.
- What
- Tusk said Russia may use hybrid drone and missile strikes against countries supporting Ukraine and portray them as accidents.
- When
- He spoke in the Polish parliament on Thursday and is scheduled to visit Ukraine on Friday.
- Where
- The warning was made in the Polish parliament; potential targets include Poland and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries on the eastern flank.
- Why
- Tusk said the alleged strategy could weaken support for Ukraine, divide the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and undermine confidence in its Article 5 collective-defense commitment.
- Speaker
- Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland
- Alleged threat
- Hybrid strikes using drones and missiles
- Potential targets
- Countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland
- Possible cover story
- Moscow could describe damage as an accident
- Alleged objective
- Weaken support for Ukraine and confidence in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Article 5
- Recent military response
- Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily closed airports after an aerial assault near its border
- Planned diplomacy
- Tusk is scheduled to visit Ukraine and meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday
