A Calculated Aggression in European Skies
According to the detailed information provided in the Polish Embassy's statement sent to "AsiaNews Iran," Russia's drone incursion was not a navigational error or a random incident, but a "fully calculated action" and an integral part of Moscow's ongoing hybrid war against the West. This aggressive operation, which lasted for over seven hours, utilized "decoy" drones equipped with additional fuel tanks to extend their range and complicate the response. The choice of Belarus as the launching point underscores Minsk's complicity in the Kremlin's aggressive policies and its attempt to create a new front of tension.
This act is not merely a military show of force but a continuation of Russia's pattern of destabilizing behavior, which includes cyberattacks, GPS signal jamming, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and a relentless disinformation campaign.
Warsaw's and NATO's Decisive Response
Poland has not stood idly by in the face of this clear threat. The Polish Air Force, supported by its European allies within NATO (the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy), acted with determination, intercepting and shooting down some of the intruder drones. This sent a clear message of readiness and resolve to defend its sovereignty.
More significantly, Warsaw invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, requesting an immediate consultative meeting with its allies. The activation of this article signifies that a member state feels its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is under serious threat, raising the alarm for the entire defensive alliance. Furthermore, summoning the Russian chargé d'affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver a formal note of protest demonstrates Poland's diplomatic commitment to holding Russia accountable on the international stage.
Russia Seeks to Expand the War and Instability
The Polish statement correctly asserts that Russia's ultimate goal with these provocations is none other than to draw Poland and other NATO members into a wider conflict. Through such actions, the Kremlin is testing the will and unity of NATO, while also trying to divert attention from its failures on the battlefields in Ukraine.
The statement firmly rejects any Russian attempt to shift blame, labeling it "imperialist and neo-colonial propaganda." The reality is clear: there is one aggressor, and it is Russia, which threatens not only Ukraine but the stability and security of the entire region with its expansionist policies. Poland has explicitly stated that it will not be provoked, but it will not hesitate for a moment to defend the security of its citizens and its airspace. This Russian aggression will only strengthen the resolve of Poland and its allies to further bolster their defense and deterrence capabilities.