11.09.2025

The country’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk officially confirmed that 
it was Russian drones that flew into Polish territory, and their destruction over the country is the first such case on NATO territory and, presumably, a “large-scale provocation.” The country’s armed forces admitted that “this is an act of aggression, an unprecedented violation of their airspace.” In fact, after the shooting down of the “objects” over Poland, we have a new stage in the Russian dictator’s war not only against Ukraine, but also against Europe. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaia Kallas, also reacted to the Russian attack on Ukraine and the invasion of Russian drones into Poland, noting that “we have witnessed the most serious violation of European airspace by Russia since the beginning of the war, and there are signs that it was deliberate, not accidental.”

After this attack, the Polish publication Rzeczpospolita writes about what Ukrainians have been saying since the beginning of the war: “The fact that Russia sent more than a dozen drones towards Poland indicates that the Kremlin perceives the current Western pressure on Moscow as weakness, not strength. What else does Vladimir Putin need to do to prove that the war he unleashed is not only Donbas and not only Kyiv? We need secondary sanctions, which Trump is talking about, asset confiscation and other pressure.”

However, it is not yet known whether the pressure will be increased and whether the fact that numerous Russian drones posed a threat to Poland’s security will really change the political situation. Donald Tusk noted in the parliament that “given the situation, the consultations of the allies have taken the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the NATO Treaty”, which states: “the contracting parties will always consult each other if, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the contracting parties is threatened.”

That is, again “consultations and study of the degree of threat”. At the same time, NATO has already stated that they do not consider the invasion of drones into Poland an attack , Western media write. At the same time, more than two dozen strike drones – it seems that this is not even a test, but a test of strength, and not 4, but 5 articles of NATO.

With such a showy blow, Putin is putting not only Poland, the EU and NATO in a difficult situation, Donald Trump has also found himself in a very difficult position. The mass drone strike in Poland is difficult to “sweep under the carpet”, it must be reacted to – and better not with words that “Vladimir seeks peace and will never attack Europe while I am president.”

It seems that the American leader, by appeasing Putin and trying to conclude a favorable deal with him, has simply driven himself into a dead end and does not know what to do next, continuing to go in circles. Having once again stated that Russia is delaying a decision on Ukraine, although he expected it to be the “easiest” of wars, Trump again noted that he has good relations with Putin and that he is going to talk to him soon. But every time a breakthrough is planned, Russia strikes again, which he is not happy with. He again says that he is ready to take on the “second phase” of sanctions against Russia and participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, but without details.

Ukrainian diplomat and politician Roman Bezsmertny shared his thoughts on these and other issues in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA.

– An unprecedented attack by Russian UAVs on Poland. Don’t you think that this is no longer just a matter of “testing” NATO’s fifth article, but of a frank test of its real strength? In general, the EU, NATO and Trump are now in a difficult position – how to react and act further. Putin clearly prepared a “surprise” for him with this attack on Poland. This massive “drone attack” is by no means accidental.

– The first and obvious thing: this step was completely predictable. Everyone understood that it would happen, especially on the eve of the Zapad-2025 exercises. Russia is always looking for a reason to explain its own aggressive actions. And here it is worth mentioning the strike on the Hamas office – it was he who became the pretext for the Russian attack on Poland. Because further we will hear the standard justification: “Well, if Israel strikes Hamas in Qatar, then why can’t Russia strike the infrastructure in Poland, which helps Ukraine?” This is now being actively prepared for the information space – especially for social networks.

You can call it anything you want: provocation, sabotage, “signal”. But the essence is the same: the operation was clearly planned. First, reconnaissance of the reaction of air defense and missile defense systems, as well as NATO aviation. Second, an attempt to inflict real damage where possible. And although most of the aircraft were “Gerani”, and only some were “Shahed”, the purpose was clear. All this is preparation for war. Russia is already actually conducting reconnaissance with combat on the territory of Poland. Therefore, all these hesitations – “will Russia attack NATO or not”, “will it risk or not to risk attacking Europe” – are a waste of time.

– So the question is no longer “if”, but “when”?

– Exactly. Russia will do it. And we must be ready for that. I am most interested in the interaction of the Polish and Ukrainian headquarters, as well as Ukraine – NATO. Why? Because these drones came from our side. They could easily be tracked and stratified. And indeed, they were noticed when they changed course over the territory of Ukraine. It was obvious: they bypassed our radars.

If the interaction were ideal, if Ukraine had enough air defense and missile defense systems, these drones could have been shot down on the eastern border. This is a direct argument in the discussion. Because instead, we see the aviation of Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, and the Scandinavians taking to the air. Even German fighters took off. And here’s the key point: this attack demonstrated that the behavior of Trump and some European “skeptics”, such as Orban, indicates one thing – they still do not realize the scale of the danger. And the danger is no longer just over Europe or NATO, but over the entire world. And it has a specific name – Russia.

– So many years of war, and they still don’t understand the reality that is already hanging over their heads?

– If they really realized the scale of the threat, I’m not talking about some kind of “scholasticism” or a state of prostration, but rather understood everything to the end, then these drones should have been shot down on the eastern border of Ukraine. This would have greatly facilitated the situation. Ukraine should be integrated into the European and Euro-Atlantic security system. And this radically changes the approach, because it becomes clear why all this is being done.

Work is underway to deploy security guarantee forces on our territory, strengthen the defense-industrial complex, and increase assistance. The logic is simple and absolutely mathematical: they provoke us Europeans, and we cannot give away air defense or missile defense to anyone, because we ourselves urgently need them. But we must act wisely, in a coordinated manner, without wasting excess resources on secondary goals.

Look: the drone pierced the roof, but did not explode, because there is nothing to explode. The purpose of this action is visible to the naked eye. It is dangerous because it opens up – tests NATO and Poland for their ability to react. But at the same time, it is a useful lesson: now it is clear how the Europeans, Poles, NATO and the United States should act.

– Can this attack on Poland push our Western partners to a real decision? It’s about closing the skies over Ukraine or at least part of the country. The topic has existed since the very beginning of the war. Within the “coalition of the willing” such a step is being discussed, but everything remains at the level of talk for now. Will two dozen Russian drones on the territory of Poland force them to act?

– Absolutely. And there are means for action, especially against ballistics. The Aegis system works in three phases: during the launch of the missile, at its peak point and during the descent to the target. That is, ballistics can be intercepted. It is more difficult with cruise missiles – they fly very low, their trajectory is often hidden behind the terrain. This requires additional sensors. But on the territory of Ukraine it is easier – it is a steppe plain. Therefore, a solution is possible here too. As for drones, it is a completely different story. They are maneuverable, their speeds are combined, and most importantly: the means of defeating them are dozens of times more expensive than the drone itself. It turns out absurd: spending hundreds of millions to shoot down a plastic “box” for a few thousand. Hence the need for a different, more adequate approach.

In general, such decisions should have been made many years ago. But it is obvious that there was a lack of political will all along. Let’s hope that the current events will be an impetus. Because why wait until the drone flies over the threshold to start shooting it down? When it can be destroyed even in the control zone.

– Regarding Donald Trump’s reaction. He refused to comment on this extraordinary event in the heat of the moment, but it is clear that Putin has put him in an awkward position with this attack. Now it is harder for him to repeat his favorite mantra that “Vladimir wants peace, only personal troubles with Zelensky prevent him from achieving it.”

– The last few days have been some of the most difficult for Trump. First, the decision of the House of Representatives committee to release materials from Epstein’s files: this burden hung over him all day. And he behaved, excuse the comparison, like a big bear who doesn’t know where to go. Add to this the story in North Carolina with the murder of a Ukrainian woman. At first he was talking complete nonsense, then it was not clear what exactly to advise him, and only on the third attempt did he somehow get out of it. It is logical that yesterday he avoided any direct comments. I think that today, somewhere after 4-5 p.m., when he will have a prepared position, he will say something. But now Trump looks like “a frog that was run over by a tractor.” Putin is pressing him down and methodically crushing him. If Trump doesn’t understand this, the pressure will only increase.

– It seems that Putin is once again smearing Trump in the public arena, but does the American president understand this?

– The problem is that Trump wages war with words, he fills the airwaves. And Putin strikes with the same instrument, but many times louder. Look: the “Epstein files”, the attack on Poland – all these are resonant provocations, which also coincide with the predictions. If several such attacks occur during the Zapad-2025 exercises, everyone will say: you were warned, you knew, why didn’t you do anything? This will put even more pressure on him. Yes, he is experienced in politics, but the years are taking their toll, you can see how he reflects. This reduces him to extreme emotions, and therefore to impulsive decisions – both in domestic and foreign policy.

The main thing now is for Europeans to stand by Ukraine not only politically, but also technologically and militarily. The Ukrainian Armed Forces should be a component of European security, and the Europeans should stand by ours. Only in this way can we adequately respond to the escalation. And the defense-industrial complex should be formed jointly, and not disperse resources.

– Back to Trump: his latest statements make it sound like he’s at a dead end. Does he not know what to do about the war, or did he not know from the beginning?

– You are right, he did not know and does not know what to do. He wandered in guesses and continues to wander. The problem is different: the American ministries – finance, transport, energy – have long prepared the appropriate steps. And now they are synchronizing with Europe, ready for implementation. But here we come to the character of Trump. I do not believe that a narcissist, a recurrent narcissist, as he is, is capable of taking the position of a subordinate. Even if these are ministers who offer quite effective solutions. He perceives them only as “service”. Therefore, there is only one way out: pressure, which can come either from Congress, for example, through the impeachment procedure, or from society. A mass action “Without a King” is planned soon in the USA. Someone writes about September, someone about October. Most likely, October 18, because such an event needs to be prepared. Tens of millions of people will come out. This can have an impact.

He has long “written off” Europe in his head, dreaming of destroying it. But Putin, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping are his “friends” and authorities. Therefore, he will not actively go against them. He also needs to be pressured with information. After all, the environment he consumes – the New York Post, loyal bloggers – should create pressure. This is the only way. Because waiting for reason and adequacy from Donald Trump now is useless.

– The day before, the US and the European Union consulted in Washington about sanctions, frozen Russian assets, and other steps to put pressure on Moscow. Is it in vain and we won’t get any tangible results? At the same time, the Financial Times reports that Trump is ready to raise the price for buyers of Russian oil by 100% – even for China, but on condition that Europe refuses it 100%. And only then, perhaps, the Americans will join in.

– This is not a problem for Europe. This is more of a rhetorical figure than a real argument. If we analyze the structure of this “billion”, then two-thirds are Hungary and Slovakia. This issue is solvable. And regarding liquefied gas, they directly told him: supply it to Europe. They told him the next day after the victory: we have 100 billion contracts for LNG, change direction, we are ready to buy. No. So who is this being said for? In order to shake the air.

Europe is ready to simultaneously impose sanctions. And it is looking for informational excuses to do nothing, not ways to act. The working group has already worked out the relevant mechanisms with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Transport. Now the only question is: will the US take this step or not? Europe is ready.

– If we return to Putin’s war against Europe and NATO: the US plans to reduce funding for military programs, training, and assistance to countries that may become targets of Russian aggression. First of all, these are the Baltic countries – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. Isn’t this a signal to Putin that the door is already being opened for him, that you can “smell the smell of blood”? After all, it’s not just about hundreds of millions of dollars, the main thing here is a political signal.

– Please note: a week ago, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen flew around the countries of Central Europe. This is exactly what it was about. America is cutting funding – we are taking over. The situation was slowed down by the meeting between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Trump, who then said: “We are not withdrawing troops, we are even ready to increase the contingent.” No one paid attention to the subtext: if you pay – we will add troops. Just pay. And this position has not changed.

– So the issue is only about finances?

– Exactly. “Fundage – we won’t take anyone away.” And so it was, and so it remains. Ursula von der Leyen assured during her visit: all the money for maintaining the eastern flank is budgeted. They are. The Europeans have been allocating these funds since the winter, because they did not believe in the permanence of the American presence. That is why we see that the Bundeswehr is in a hurry with recruitment, why they are even talking about restoring universal military service. Because it is already clear: German troops are in the Baltics, then – Romania, Hungary. They are expanding their presence. This is not a surprise for Europe – everyone knew that this would happen.

Now the main question to the Americans: okay, you don’t want to finance, but what about the supply of weapons? Let’s take Patriot – it’s a year and a half to fulfill the contract. The queue is huge, and production capacities are not growing. The Europeans are already doing everything to provide for themselves independently. By January 1, they will have no problems with missiles for the Patriots, they will produce them themselves. But the launchers are still produced in the USA. That is, there are a lot of nuances that need to be taken into account. And Trump is using this to thunder and make claims to the Europeans. The impression is of chaos, “disturbance”. I will emphasize: in Europe, no one believes in Trump’s stability as an ally. The Europeans understand: we must rely on ourselves. But this does not change overnight. He does not have a far-sighted vision. He is far from the current reality.

The only chance for Europe now is to help Ukraine as much as possible. As much as possible, even beyond our capabilities. All resources must be directed to air defense, missile defense, ammunition, logistics. And at the same time, prepare for the fact that we will have to stand next to the Ukrainian soldier. There is no other way.

https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/politics-news/masovana-ataka-rosii-na-polschu-mae-kilka-klyuchovih-faktoriv-ale-tramp-ta-chastina-evropi-vse-rivno-ne-usvidomlyuyut-masshtabi-nebezpeki-intervyu-z-bezsmertnim.htm