Russia says it did not plan to hit any targets in Poland

Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that its drones had carried out a major attack on military facilities in western Ukraine but that it had not planned to hit any targets in Poland.

The ministry said its forces had achieved all its targets in the attack, and pointed out that the Russian drones "which allegedly crossed the border with Poland" had a range of not more than 700 km (434 miles).

"Nevertheless, we are prepared to hold consultations with the Polish Defence Ministry on this topic," it said.

At least three Russian drones were shot down by Nato and Polish aircraft in Poland's airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine, the Polish prime minister has said.

Donald Tusk told MPs that Poland had recorded 19 drone incursions in its airspace while saying that some of the drones came close enough to trigger closure of four airports. 

Tusk while addressing parliament in an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning and asked to invoke article 4 of the NATO treaty while calling the incident a 'provocation'. 

Article 4 of the NATO treaty formally begins urgent talks amongst members of the alliance which includes the United states and European countries. 

Russia's violation of Poland's airspace is "reckless behaviour", irrespective of whether it was deliberate, says Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.

In a statement, Rutte says Nato allies have expressed full solidarity with Poland. He adds that a full assessment is ongoing.

EU's Ursula von der Leyen echoed the remarks saying that Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland. 

She called the incident a "reckless and unprecedented violation" of Poland and Europe's air space, vowing that Europe's response to Russia must be clear.

Copied