“Absolutely reckless”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the violation of Poland’s airspace “absolutely reckless” and warned that it was not an “isolated incident.”

Russia’s actions have heightened fears of a larger conflict, potentially even a third world war. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was the first time Russian drones had been shot down over NATO territory, and the incursion involved a “huge number” of them.

“We are most likely dealing with a large-scale provocation,” Tusk told Polish television following an emergency meeting of the country’s National Security Bureau. He added that the “situation is serious” and emphasized that Poland is “ready to repel” such attacks.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also commented on the incident, saying, “Russia’s war is escalating, not ending. Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.”