Poland Warns of Russian Missile Strikes on NATO Nations Supporting Ukraine

Russia may be planning missile strikes against countries that support Ukraine, including Britain, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Monday. The chilling alert came after Poland was forced to close its airspace, scramble fighter jets, and shut down airports due to a recent Kremlin assault.

Tusk stated that Western intelligence agencies have corroborated Vladimir Putin's preparations for a broader conflict. He indicated that an increasingly desperate Putin might be seeking to intimidate Ukraine's Western allies into withdrawing their support.

"We know he is plotting something bad. However, for us the most important task is to prepare for various scenarios," Tusk told Poland's parliament. "We will certainly not naively accept such messages that Russia has goodwill and will start behaving properly. There is no indication of this."

He described the intelligence as "very consistent and convincing" and cautioned that Russia could present future attacks as accidental to weaken NATO's resolve to respond. Tusk identified the upcoming autumn and winter months as a critical period in the four-year conflict, during which Russia may test NATO's commitment.

The warning follows a recent Russian drone attack on western Ukraine, near the Polish border, and another incident where a Russian drone narrowly missed Western dignitaries, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, near a border railway station.

Russia's increased use of jet-powered drones in western Ukraine has led to calls for Britain and other allies to intercept Russian munitions before they enter NATO airspace. Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described such a move as "the natural next step," acknowledging it would be considered escalatory by Russia.

The higher speed of these drones reduces the reaction time for Western air defenses, necessitating earlier engagement.

"There is a real risk that drones or other types of missiles could penetrate the territory of one or more countries on the eastern flank and even cause damage, while the official explanation will be that there was an accident," Tusk added.

Poland, which is reportedly investing more in its defense as a percentage of GDP than Britain, expressed confidence in its ability to counter Russia in a conventional war with its European allies. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski stated last week that Russian forces would be quickly overwhelmed by Poland's and NATO's aerial superiority.

Polish air forces have been authorized to shoot down any Russian jets that violate its airspace, and the country is increasing its F-16 jet patrols and helicopter activity.

Meanwhile, the UK government faces growing pressure to outline its strategy for meeting defense spending targets. The current budget only allocates an increase to 2.7% of GDP by 2027/28, with unspecified plans for further growth.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged allies, including the UK, to establish a "credible path" toward the defense spending target of 3.5% of GDP, emphasizing the need for "yearly increments" to stay ahead of Russia.

"You cannot spend it today, but you can also not wait 'til 2035," Rutte said. "And that is why you need a credible path towards that 3.5 per cent, and yearly increments."

He added, "I think we are on the right path now to make sure that also going forward we stay ahead of the Russians. But again, that means that all of us, the UK and all the others, have to stick to that path to the 3.5 per cent with yearly increments."