Poland has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the recent Russian drone incursion into its airspace might have been unintentional.
“We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X on Friday.
At a press conference, Tusk said Poland’s intelligence services and military had enough information to trace the source of the drones.
“They knew who was behind it, where the drones took off from, and what the intentions were,” he said.
The incident occurred earlier this week during a Russian strike on Ukraine. Poland reported that 19 Russian drones deliberately crossed into its airspace, prompting a swift response from its Air Force and NATO allies to destroy the unmanned aircraft.
It was the first time Russian drones were intercepted and brought down over NATO territory.
Trump had earlier remarked that the drones violating Polish airspace “could have been a mistake.”
He added, “I’m not happy about that whole situation, but hopefully it’s going to come to an end.”
Since assuming office in January, Trump has faced criticism for allegedly being overly accommodating toward Russia and vulnerable to influence from President Vladimir Putin.
Military experts reviewing the case said it was improbable the drones entered Polish territory unintentionally.
According to NATO sources, at least one of the drones was headed toward a military aid distribution hub at the Polish airport in Rzeszów.
(NAN)