PM Condemns "Unprecedented Violation" Of NATO Airspace By Russia
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the "egregious and unprecedented violation" of NATO airspace by Russian drones overnight.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Polish, Dutch, and Italian fighter aircraft shot down a number of Russian drones that crossed the Polish border. Polish citizens were told to remain in their homes as the strikes were carried out.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the country, which is a member of the NATO military alliance, recorded 19 drone incursions into its airspace.
Tusk told Polish parliamentarians that the incident was "incomparably more dangerous from Poland’s point of view" than any other action Russia has taken towards the country since its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in 2022.
Under Article 5 of NATO, it is agreed that an armed attack against one or more nations in the group is considered an attack against “all of them”.
Russian drones were shot down in Polish airspace during an overnight bombardment of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this morning that 415 drones and 40 missiles were used by Russia to mainly target western parts of the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, Starmer said the “barbaric attack” was an “extremely reckless” move by Russia.
“This morning's barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and NATO airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning,” the PM said.
“This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin’s blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day.
"I have been in touch with the Polish Prime Minister this morning to make clear our support for Poland, and that we will stand firm in our support for Ukraine.
He added: "With our partners – and through our leadership of the Coalition of the Willing – we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace."
Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to address the events overnight in a press conference alongside NATO counterparts this afternoon.
