Poland’s Defense Minister Says Ukraine Must Avoid Drone Strikes That Threaten NATO Airspace

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Ukraine should more carefully select targets for drone strikes inside Russia in order to avoid incidents that could threaten NATO member states or be used by Moscow for propaganda purposes.

According to Ukrinform on May 20, Kosiniak-Kamysz commented on several recent cases involving drones linked to Ukrainian operations entering the airspace of Baltic states.

“Without a doubt, Ukraine should—and this is also discussed by military officials and within NATO—determine targets much more precisely so as not to create threats to the security of Alliance countries,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a briefing in Warsaw.

He added that such incidents “may serve Russian provocations and be used by the Russian Federation for propaganda, as well as for escalating the conflict and intensifying hybrid warfare.”

“Therefore, Ukraine must be very careful: while understanding its tactical objectives in the war it is fighting, it must protect the territory of NATO countries,” the Polish minister said.

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War in Ukraine

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The comments follow several drone-related incidents reported in the Baltic region in recent weeks. According to Lithuanian and Estonian officials, multiple unidentified drones crossed into NATO airspace near Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia during Ukrainian long-range strikes targeting sites inside Russia.

Earlier in May, several drones entered Latvian airspace overnight, with two reportedly crashing on Latvian territory, including one near an oil storage facility. Latvian authorities said the drones entered from Russian territory, though officials did not confirm their origin.

On May 19, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said a drone believed to be of Ukrainian origin entered Estonian airspace and was later intercepted by Baltic air defense systems over Lake Võrtsjärv. According to Estonian officials, the drone was likely headed toward targets inside Russia before being diverted.

Ukraine later apologized for the incident. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the drone’s course deviation was caused by Russian electronic warfare systems.

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