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.
Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure, and injuring four people, in...
Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday, ending their 155-day detention. This comes after a ceasefire agreement between the two countries...
Germany’s military planners warn that cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation could signal the start of a new war, according to a confidential go...
Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in d...
Organisers in New York have successfully completed a test run of the Times Square New Year’s Eve crystal ball, less than 48 hours before the annual ...
Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure, and injuring four people, including three children, according to regional authorities on Wednesday.
Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday, ending their 155-day detention. This comes after a ceasefire agreement between the two countries halted 20 days of fighting that killed over 100 people and displaced more than half a million. The soldiers were handed over at a border checkpoint.
Germany’s military planners warn that cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation could signal the start of a new war, according to a confidential government document seen by Politico. The plan outlines how Germany would defend itself in a major NATO conflict.
Organisers in New York have successfully completed a test run of the Times Square New Year’s Eve crystal ball, less than 48 hours before the annual countdown celebration.
Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in demanding government action. With inflation above 42% and the rial at record lows, unrest continues to grow across the country.
Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire and former Chelsea Football Club owner, has assembled a “top tier” legal team, including a former White House advisor, as he prepares for a legal battle in Jersey.
The head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has ordered all forces linked to the United Arab Emirates to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
Max Verstappen has been voted Formula 1’s driver of the year for a fifth straight season by team principals, despite narrowly missing out on the championship.
Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights for almost sixty years, and that the UN General Assembly this month once again reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty over the region.
Russia launched an overnight drone attack on Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure, and injuring four people, including three children, according to regional authorities on Wednesday.
Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday, ending their 155-day detention. This comes after a ceasefire agreement between the two countries halted 20 days of fighting that killed over 100 people and displaced more than half a million. The soldiers were handed over at a border checkpoint.
Germany’s military planners warn that cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation could signal the start of a new war, according to a confidential government document seen by Politico. The plan outlines how Germany would defend itself in a major NATO conflict.
Organisers in New York have successfully completed a test run of the Times Square New Year’s Eve crystal ball, less than 48 hours before the annual countdown celebration.
Bulgaria is preparing to replace its national currency, the lev, with the euro on 1 January, a long-awaited move welcomed by businesses but viewed with scepticism and anger by some citizens.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment