Tusk warns Russia may strike NATO under guise of accident
Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Vitalii Nosach - RBC-Ukraine)
In the coming months, Russia may intensify attacks not only against Ukraine but also against countries that support it. Specifically, this could concern Poland and other states on NATO's eastern flank, stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, reports Politico.
According to him, intelligence assessments from NATO, Ukraine, and Poland point to a scenario in which Russia could use drones and missiles to attack countries supporting Ukraine.
Tusk noted that the latest intelligence data on this matter is very consistent and convincing.
"There is a real risk that drones or other types of missiles could enter the territory of one or several NATO countries on the eastern flank and cause damage. And the official narrative will be that it was an accident and that there is no reason for anyone to consider any kind of NATO response," the Polish prime minister stated.
According to him, Russia may thus attempt to test the Alliance's readiness to respond to such incidents and weaken its unity.
Tusk said that the goal would be to generally undermine NATO’s integrity and, above all, convince member states that Article 5 was more theoretical than practical.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Alliance provides for the principle of collective defense: an armed attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all.
Tusk expects intensified attacks on Ukraine
The Polish prime minister also warned that the coming autumn and winter could be an extremely difficult period for Ukraine. According to him, Russia will continue intensive strikes on Ukrainian cities, infrastructure, and logistics facilities.
Tusk noted that Russian forces may pay particular attention to warehouses, railway infrastructure, and other objects significant for Ukrainian defense.
Speaking about the target of Russian attacks, he said that for the time being, it was Ukraine.
At the same time, he stated that the consequences of such strikes could directly affect Poland as well, since attacks are increasingly occurring near the Polish-Ukrainian border.
The prime minister also separately mentioned a new generation of jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles, which Russia is using more actively against Ukraine. According to him, such drones move significantly faster and at higher altitudes, making their detection and interception more difficult.
Tusk warned that they would have to undergo a very serious test because they would definitely become targets of much more dangerous provocations and incidents than before.
Earlier, after Donald Tusk reported a Russian drone strike near the Polish border with Ukraine, Warsaw convened an emergency meeting of ministers the following day.
Military and law enforcement structures were also present at the meeting convened by Tusk. Then, the Polish prime minister stated the possibility of a real Russian invasion of Poland.
