Poland Rejects Trump's 'Mistake' Claim Over Russian Drone Incursion

Poland has sharply rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a recent incursion of Russian drones into its airspace was accidental, labeling it a “deliberate Russian attack” and escalating tensions within NATO. On Wednesday, Polish and allied NATO aircraft shot down multiple Russian drones that violated Polish airspace, marking the first time a NATO member has engaged Russian military assets during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to X to counter Trump’s remarks, stating, “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it.” Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk reinforced this stance, declaring, “There’s no question of a mistake—this was a deliberate Russian attack,” urging Trump to recognize the gravity of the incident. The rare public contradiction of a U.S. president by Poland, a staunch NATO ally lauded by Trump for its defense spending, underscores Europe’s alarm at his apparent leniency toward Moscow’s narrative.

The incursion, involving 19 drones according to Polish officials, has been described as a Russian test of NATO’s response capabilities. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, visiting Kyiv on Friday, emphasized the deliberate nature of the attack, noting that 400 drones and 40 missiles struck Ukraine that same night. Poland requested an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday to address the violation, with Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea condemning Russia’s actions as a “disrespect for U.S. efforts to end the conflict.”

Also Read: Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Breach

European leaders, including those from France, Germany, and Britain, condemned the incursion as evidence of Russia’s disinterest in peace, especially after Trump’s failed Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin last month. France announced it would deploy three Rafale jets to bolster Poland’s airspace defenses, while Germany committed to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. Britain introduced new sanctions targeting Russia, and Japan lowered its price cap on Russian crude oil to pressure Moscow.

The incident raises concerns about NATO’s readiness to counter drone warfare and protect civilian air transport. Russia denied targeting Poland, claiming the drones were part of an attack on Ukraine, but European officials, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, labeled it a deliberate provocation. Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus launched joint military exercises on Friday, further escalating regional tensions, while Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Primorsk port, damaging a key oil export terminal.

As Poland invokes NATO’s Article 4 for consultations, the episode highlights strained U.S.-European coordination on Russia sanctions, with Trump repeatedly delaying promised measures. The clash over the drone incursion signals a deepening divide, with Europe pushing for a hardline stance while Trump’s comments suggest hesitation, complicating efforts to address Russia’s aggression.

Also Read: Trump Reaffirms Strong U.S. Military Presence in Poland