Russian drones violated Polish and NATO airspace before being shot down by Polish forces. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) condemned the incident as an "egregious and unprecedented violation" of NATO territory.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the drone incursion took Russia's aggression to "a new level of hostility". The violation forced Warsaw airport to close temporarily and required NATO jets to directly engage Russian drones.
The incident occurred three days after Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began. That assault hit a key government building in Kyiv for the first time.
Meeting disrupted by attack
Polish Defence Minister Kosiniak Kamysz was due to attend talks with defence officials from Britain, Italy, France and Germany in London. He flew home early on Wednesday morning to deal with the drone attack instead.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed on social media that multiple Russian drones violated Polish airspace. Those posing a direct threat were shot down by Polish forces.
Starmer said he had contacted Tusk to express UK support for both Poland and Ukraine. He thanked NATO and Polish forces for their rapid response to the violation.
'Barbaric and reckless'
"This morning's barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning," Starmer said in a statement. "This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin's blatant disregard for peace."
Healey described the drone incursion as "the first of its kind since Putin launched his illegal invasion in 2022". He said Europe was facing "escalating Russian aggression" from Moscow.
"Russia's actions are reckless, unprecedented and dangerous," Healey said. "We totally condemn these attacks, and we say to President Putin: Your aggression only strengthens the unity between Nato nations."
Support measures discussed
The London talks will focus on what support countries can provide to Poland following the airspace violation. Healey is meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and senior officials from Poland, France and Germany.
In a direct message to Vladimir Putin, Healey said: "Your aggression only strengthens our solidarity to stand with Ukraine. It reminds us that a secure Europe needs a strong, sovereign Ukraine."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
