Warsaw, September 16 (HS): A fresh wave of tensions gripped Europe after Poland accused Russia of violating its airspace with drones during strikes on Ukraine, prompting fears of a direct clash between NATO and Moscow.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that several Russian drones breached Polish territory last week before being shot down, calling the act a “large-scale provocation” and warning that the country must prepare for “various scenarios” should the situation escalate further.

Russia’s Defence Ministry dismissed the claims, insisting the drones were aimed solely at Ukrainian targets and that Warsaw had not been considered for strikes.

However, the Kremlin’s rhetoric has amplified the sense of looming confrontation. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Head of Russia’s Security Council, warned on Monday that NATO’s newly launched initiative, Eastern Sentry—designed to strengthen defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank—risked spiraling into full-scale conflict. He cautioned that any attempt to create a “no-fly zone over Ukraine” or intercept Russian UAVs would mean “a war between NATO and Russia.”

Further sharpening the standoff, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared that NATO is already “de facto at war with Russia,” citing the alliance’s extensive support for Kyiv. “It can be said with absolute certainty that NATO is fighting against Russia,” he said.

In response to the airspace incident, Poland has called on NATO to invoke Article 4, which obliges members to hold urgent consultations if a member’s territorial integrity or security is threatened, raising the stakes of potential escalation.

The NATO alliance confirmed it will begin a “multi-domain activity” in the region in the coming days, underscoring concern over repeated violations, including the September 10 drone incursion into Polish skies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar