EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russian drones had violated Polish airspace on Wednesday (10 September) calling the attack "reckless".
"Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland," Von der Leyen told members of the European Parliament.
She condemned Russia's actions. "We have all seen what Russia means by diplomacy. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin refuses to meet (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. Last week, Russia launched the largest number of drones and ballistic missiles in a single attack. Yesterday, there was a missile attack on a village in Donetsk, targeting people waiting to pick up their pensions. More than 20 were killed," she said.
"And just today, we have seen a reckless and unprecedented violation of Poland and Europe's airspace by more than 10 Russian Shahed drones," von der Leyen added.
She said that the EU was now working on a 19th sanctions package, looking at ways to phase out Russian fossil fuels faster.
Poland's airspace was violated by a number of Russian drones, and those that posed a direct threat were shot down, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
The move marks the first time a member of the NATO alliance has fired shots in the war.
“This is the first time Russian drones have been shot down over the territory of a NATO country. Therefore, all our allies are taking the situation very seriously. We have not recorded any casualties,” Tusk said.
“Of course, the search for debris from the downed drones is ongoing," Tusk added.
"We are slowly reopening airports. The closure of airports was not caused by a threat or an attack on airports, but was necessitated by the operational needs of our pilots."
He has also declared that Poland is fully prepared to respond to any attacks or provocations following the incident in which Polish forces shot down Russian drones that had entered the country’s airspace.
"We are ready to repel such provocations and attacks; we are well prepared, and the situation is serious. Today, no one can doubt that we must prepare for various scenarios.”
President Zelenskyy reported that at least eight Russian drones targeted Poland during a massive Russian overnight assault on Ukraine, highlighting the use of Iranian-made Shahed drones by Russia.
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The explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon killed at least 12 people and injured a further 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The airport remains closed until further notice.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a new attack Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow also halts strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
Russia has violated an energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday, urging Washington to step in to ensure that Moscow abided by the terms of the putative agreement.
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The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine is ready to respect the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, but only if Russia does the same, saying Moscow has already violated the agreement.
China has announced sanctions against Belize’s foreign minister and Paraguay’s communications minister over their countries’ diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The move comes as Beijing continues to pressure the few remaining nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
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