The UK has formally summoned the Russian ambassador after what officials described as an unprecedented violation of NATO airspace. The move follows last week’s escalation when Polish air defenses were forced to shoot down Russian suicide drones that repeatedly crossed into Polish territory during a major assault on Ukraine.
This marks the first direct military engagement between Poland and Russian forces since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. According to Polish military command, several “drone-type objects” breached its airspace, prompting immediate action from NATO-aligned forces. US F-35 jets and other allied aircraft also joined the operation to secure the skies.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned Moscow’s actions as “reckless” and “deeply concerning,” while Polish leaders described the incident as an act of aggression. The UK Foreign Office emphasized that incursions into both Polish and Romanian airspace were “utterly unacceptable.”
In London, Russian envoy Andrei Kelin was summoned to the Foreign Office, where officials stressed that Putin’s continued escalation only reinforces NATO’s unity. A government spokesperson warned that any further violations will be met with force, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to stand with Ukraine and defend European security.
The incident also triggered heightened military readiness and temporary airport closures in Poland, particularly in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions. Local residents were urged to stay at home as the operation continued.
Officials say this episode underscores the growing risk of the Ukraine conflict spilling into NATO territory, a scenario that Western leaders have repeatedly warned could spark wider confrontation in Europe.
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