Polish political leader Donald Tusk announced his visit to Kyiv following warnings that Russia intends to carry out hybrid attacks, including drone and rocket strikes, against European countries backing Ukraine, with Poland specifically at risk. Tusk said Moscow aims to portray such assaults as accidental to undermine NATO’s commitment to defend member states.
Arriving in Kyiv on Friday, Tusk plans to confer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and regional partners like Slovakia about countering new drone threats and imposing further sanctions on Russia. His trip comes days after a drone attack near the Polish-Ukrainian border and amid heightened tensions on NATO’s eastern flank.
Warnings of Escalating Hybrid Attacks
In a speech to the Polish parliament, Tusk described Russia’s strategy as an attempt to “paralyze or at least weaken the motivation of NATO countries” by disguising attacks as accidents. The Polish leader stressed a “real risk” that drones or projectiles could enter one or more eastern flank countries and cause destruction. He pledged a firm response if any attack occurs against Poland.
On Thursday, a drone hit a petrol station near Poland’s border with Ukraine, and Polish air defenses intercepted a jet-powered drone that exploded near the border. Temporary closures of airports in Lublin and Rzeszow followed, reflecting the seriousness of the drone threats. Tusk noted intelligence signals of ongoing high-frequency attacks on key Ukrainian cities expected over the coming days.
Regional and Military Developments
Alongside Tusk’s visit, Slovak political leader Robert Fico also confirmed plans to attend discussions in Kyiv, despite his historically warmer ties with Russia and criticism of EU and NATO aid to Ukraine. The European Union is set to release 3.3 billion euros to Ukraine for missile and drone procurement, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported destroying or suppressing 131 Russian aerial targets overnight, including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and decoys, especially targeting the Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa regions. Civilian casualties included children, with damage to residential buildings in Odesa and injuries reported in the capital region.
Ukrainian Counterattacks and Infrastructure Damage
Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl and a military airfield in Rostov, damaging aircraft and halting crude processing. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy credited multiple security and intelligence units for the operation.
A Russian drone strike on a Tanzanian-flagged civilian vessel in the Black Sea caused a fatality and wounded three crew members. Additionally, damage to the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi bridge in the Odesa region has hampered grain transport to Danube river ports, significantly delaying deliveries and complicating Ukraine’s logistics.
