Poland raises alert as Russian drone barrage strikes near Ukraine's western border
On 13 September, 13 Russian drone strikes targeted western Ukraine, with some landing within kilometres of the Polish border. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia's deployment of faster, jet-powered drones with greater range and accuracy represents an escalating threat, and Poland pledged to reinforce border security. The strikes coincided with continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, which Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to stop.
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on 13 September that Poland cannot rule out more serious Russian attacks following a wave of 13 drone strikes against western Ukraine overnight. Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk confirmed that several strikes landed within a few kilometres of the Polish border. Tusk stated that the attacks demonstrated Russia's deployment of more advanced technology, particularly jet-powered drones whose increased range and accuracy pose a heightened threat even to a well-defended country like Ukraine. He emphasised that Poland must be prepared for a joint response if necessary, while cautioning against panic. Warsaw subsequently pledged to reinforce security along its eastern frontier in response to the escalation. The drone barrage targeted civilian infrastructure including a gas station and a train near Ukraine's border with Poland, a NATO member. This escalation coincided with continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. Donald Trump has publicly urged Kyiv to halt these attacks, citing concerns about the impact on global diesel prices, a request that Ukraine has so far not heeded according to reporting cited by Just Security.
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