Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made an alarming statement, claiming that Russia is preparing hybrid attacks against countries supporting Ukraine. In his speech to the Polish parliament on 17 September, Tusk mentioned that Russia intends to deploy drones and missiles in its operations, and emphasised that Poland is among the potential targets.
Although Tusk did not specify the sources of the intelligence, he expressed serious concern about Russia’s capabilities. The Prime Minister noted that Moscow is not prepared to cease hostilities without Kyiv’s unconditional surrender, and warned that the approaching winter could prove to be a critical period for Ukraine.
Tusk paid particular attention to the new generation of jet-powered drones, which Russia is actively developing and deploying. These drones are characterised by high speed and the ability to operate at significant altitudes, making them a difficult target to counter. The Polish leader emphasised the importance of being prepared to defend against such threats.
The day after his speech, on 18 September, Tusk intends to visit Ukraine. This visit coincides with his previous warnings about a likely escalation of tensions in the region in the coming weeks and months. The Polish Prime Minister also stressed the need for special operating procedures at border crossings and for NATO to be prepared to respond collectively in the event of an escalation.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern over the rise in hybrid threats within the EU, calling on Europe to strengthen its preparedness for such challenges. In August, there was also a rise in anxiety in the Baltic states due to Russian actions, including airspace violations and the use of drones.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for his part, threatened on 16 September that there would be a short war should Europe attack Russia, whilst emphasising that Moscow had no plans to attack European countries. The current situation requires European leaders to take measured decisions and strengthen their collective defence.