Nato has announced plans to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank and the US has vowed to defend "every inch” of its ally after Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
The US joined its western ally yesterday to express concern about Russian drones entering Poland, accusing Moscow of violating international law and the founding UN Charter.
At the UN, the US called the Polish airspace violations "alarming" and vowed to defend “every inch” of Nato territory.
Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action on Wednesday after 19 objects intruded Polish airspace including drones entering from Belarus. There have been no injury reports and Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
Donald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
His comments come after Poland‘s prime minister Donald Tusk on Friday rejected Trump’s claim that Russian drones breaching Polish airspace might have been "a mistake".
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Key Points
- Poland says Putin’s drone incursion ‘wasn’t a mistake’
- Trump believes Russia's drone incursion in Poland could have been 'a mistake'
- UK announces new sanctions package on Russia
- Kremlin: Negotiations with Ukraine paused, Europe to blame
- Prince Harry makes a surprise visit to Kyiv
Kremlin: Negotiations with Ukraine paused, Europe to blame
Friday 12 September 2025 16:30
,
Alex Croft
The Kremlin said that there was a pause in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and accused European countries of hindering a process it said that Moscow remained open to.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have held three rounds of direct talks this year in Istanbul, most recently on July 23, which have yielded several agreements to return prisoners of war and the bodies of the dead. But the two sides remain far apart on what a possible peace deal might look like.
Russia accuses Kyiv of not recognising what it calls "the realities on the ground", while Ukraine says Moscow is feigning interest in talks while continuing to try to take more of its territory.
Efforts by US president Donald Trump to broker a deal have so far come to nothing.
Asked whether talks between Kyiv and Moscow were now deadlocked, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The channels of communication are in place and functioning. Our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate through these channels. But for now, it is probably more accurate to say that there is a pause."
US pledges to protect 'every inch of Nato' after Russian drones enter Poland
05:00
,
Vishwam Sankaran
The US told the UN Security Council on Friday that it would defend "every inch of NATO territory" after Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
"The United States stands by our NATO allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations," said Dorothy Shea, the US acting ambassador to UN.
Ms Shea's remarks come after US president Donald Trump said the Russian drone incursion into Poland "could've been a mistake", a claim refuted by Poland.
"These actions, now with the addition of violating the airspace of a U.S. ally – intentionally or otherwise – show immense disrespect for good-faith US efforts to bring an end to this conflict," the acting ambassador said.
Nato announces plans to beef up Eastern flank's defence
06:05
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Nato said yesterday it would strengthen the defence of Europe's eastern flank following Russia's airspace violations over Poland.
Nato's announcement comes two days after Warsaw shot down Russian drones making an incursion over its airspace.
It said a new deterrence initiative called "Eastern Sentry" would be launched in response to Russia's drone attack.
"Eastern Sentry will add flexibility and strength to our posture and make clear that, as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend," the military alliance's secretary general Mark Rutte said.
At the UN, the US called Russia's drone incursions over Polish airspace "alarming" and vowed to defend every inch of Nato territory.
'What affects one ally affects us all,' says Nato chief
06:42
,
Vishwam Sankaran
After announcing the beefing up of Nato's eastern flank, the military alliance's chief Mark Rutte said the focus of the immediate new operation is Poland as “what affects one Ally affects us all".
He said the situation in Poland due to Russia's drone incursions two days ago "transcends the borders of one nation”.
The alliance's chief said the aim of the operation is to integrate air and ground-based defences, increase information sharing among Nato allies, incorporate unspecified enhanced capabilities, and strengthen Nato's posturing to protect the alliance.
Russia stages major military drills with ally Belarus
06:27
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Russian and Belarusian troops began a major joint military exercise yesterday for the first time since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The joint exercises are set to occur in Russia and Belarus, including Belarus’ Vitebsk, Minsk, and Grodno oblasts, and in the Baltic and Barents seas from 12 to 16 September.
The Zapad 2025 exercises consist of two stages, with the first consisting of air and ground defence operations, and the second including exercises to clear the territory of enemy forces and conducting counteroffensive operations, according to Belarusian Chief of the General Staff Pavel Muraveiko.
Both countries have carried out these joint exercises biannually, but cancelled the Zapad 2023 drills, likely due to Russia’s equipment and manpower requirements for its war in Ukraine.
The latest joint exercise also appears to be notably much smaller than the 2021 drills, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Russian offensive in Sumy oblast 'thwarted', Zelensky says
05:30
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Russia's offensive in Sumy Oblast has been "completely thwarted", Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.
"As of today, we can state that the Russian offensive operation on Sumy has been completely thwarted by our forces," the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address.
"Fighting continues in the border areas of Sumy Oblast, but the Russian group in the Sumy area has lost offensive capabilities due to the losses suffered," he said.
The region has been a key target for Moscow's troops since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 due to its location on the northeastern frontier, and faces near-daily strikes.
However, Kyiv says it has maintained control over most of the region.
Putin’s goading Nato: He’s gambling that all it can launch against him is fearsome rhetoric
04:45
,
Alex Croft
On the face of it, the intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace overnight would appear to be an open and shut case for invoking Nato’s famous Article 5, which, as commonly summed up, means that an attack on one is deemed an attack on all and warrants a corresponding response.
This guarantee is much of the reason why, after the Soviet Union’s collapse, the newly independent states of eastern and central Europe wanted to join the alliance, and why Ukraine is so keen to do so now. Nato and Article 5 are seen as the gold standard of security guarantees.
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, was quick to warn that his country is at its closest to open conflict since the end of the Second World War. The incursion into Polish airspace was, he said, “a test Nato has to answer”.
Mary Dejevsky writes:
Trump says he will 'come down strong' on Putin - ICYMI
04:30
,
Alex Croft
President Trump has said he had long had a good relationship with Putin, but expressed frustration at his failure to end the war.
"We're going to have to come down very, very strong," he told Fox News.
Trump said sanctions on banks and oil were an option, along with tariffs, but European countries also needed to participate.
"But I've already done it. I've done a lot," Trump said, noting that India - one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil - was facing a 50% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
EU's next sanctions package on Russia must be 'tough as possible' - Danish foreign minister
04:15
,
Alex Croft
The European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia must be "as tough as possible", Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency will push for the adoption of a 19th round of sanctions during its term which ends in December, Mr Lokke said.
"It must be a full-fledged sanctions package, addressing circumvention, the shadow fleet, the financial sector... we also need stronger transatlantic cooperation," he told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Rasmussen said that Denmark would also welcome any initiative from the United States on sanctions.
He added that the Nordic country would encourage more Ukrainian defence companies to establish themselves in Denmark in order to start production there.
"We are actually in dialogue with quite a few Ukrainian companies," he said.
The Danish government earlier this month said that Ukrainian Fire Point, maker of Flamingo missiles, will start producing fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
Warsaw again refutes Trump's suggestion that Russian incursion was a mistake
04:01
,
Alex Croft
There can be no mistake with such a large-scale attack on Poland, a Polish official said in response to US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that Wednesday’ Russian drone incursion might have been accidental.
"I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there's no question of a mistake - this was a deliberate Russian attack," deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk told local TV broadcaster Polsat News.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who visits Kyiv on Friday, also responded to Trump's words. "On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine. These were not mistakes," he said in a video posted on X.
At Poland's request, the UN Security Council will meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will begin at 3pm local time (8pm UK time), Polish foreign affairs ministry said.
French Rafale fighters deployed to protect Poland
03:01
,
Alex Croft
France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday on X.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
A French military official said the warplanes had already been deployed to Poland prior to Tuesday's incursions.
The twin-engined jet is designed for various purposes including in-depth and anti-ship strikes, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions.
Watch: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
01:30
,
Alex Croft
German parliament calls for Nato to down Russian drones over Ukraine
Saturday 13 September 2025 00:00
,
Alex Croft
The defence committee of Germany’s parliament has said the Nato alliance must down Russian drones which could threat its territory even if they are still in Ukrainian airspace.
Thomas Röwekamp, the committee’s chair, said Nato is capable of countering the “very serious challenges” posed by Russia.
“The best way to counter drones during a war is to destroy their production facilities and launch systems", he said, adding that it is important "that Nato partners quickly equip Ukraine so that it can take measures against these targets on Russian soil”.
He added:"It should be possible, with the consent of the affected country, such as Ukraine, to down drones that threaten NATO territory, even when they are in their airspace."
Fresh UK sanctions to target ships carrying Russian oil
Friday 12 September 2025 23:01
,
Alex Croft
We earlier brought you the news that the UK has launched a new package of sanctions on Russia.
Here’s a little more detail on what the sanctions include.
- They will target ships carrying Russian oil as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to produce Russian weapons.
- 70 more ships transporting Russian oil and 30 companies and individuals supplying weapons kits are being targeted.
- Firms located in China and Turkey are among the sanctions.
- The package has been issued as a response to recent Russian aggression, referring to the higher number of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and the recent violation of Nato airspace in Poland.
- New foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital.”
Prince Harry arrives in Ukraine as he pledges help for soldiers injured in war
Friday 12 September 2025 22:03
,
Alex Croft
Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to pledge his support for Ukrainian soldiers injured in the country’s war against Russia.
The Duke of Sussex, who served in the British army for a decade, was invited by the Ukrainian government as he said he aims to do “everything possible” to help the thousands of wounded military personnel, say reports. According to the European Disability Forum, as of February, 300,000 people had been left disabled as a result of the war.
Tara Cobham reports:
Russia drone incursion into Poland 'unacceptable' - Hungarian PM
Friday 12 September 2025 21:02
,
Alex Croft
Russia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace on Wednesday is unacceptable, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday.
Hungary has shown solidarity with Poland, a country that was its "historic ally", he said.
"Despite the current political skirmishes, the Poles are our friends," Mr Orban said. "So we had said about the incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory right away that it was unacceptable."
Mr Orban is one of a small number of outliers in Europe who typically hold a far softer stance towards Moscow.
Russia and Belarus start 'Zapad 2025' joint military exercise
Friday 12 September 2025 20:00
,
Alex Croft
Russian and Belarus kickstarted a major joint military exercise involving drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the drills, including near the Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
Russian drone in Polish airspace is 'an attempt to weaken NATO' says Polish Defence Minister
Friday 12 September 2025 19:01
,
Alex Croft
"This Russian provocation, as the generals and our soldiers are well aware, was nothing more than an attempt to test our capabilities, our ability to respond," Polish President Karol Nawrocki told soldiers on Thursday.
It comes after Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action on Wednesday after 19 objects intruded Polish airspace including drones entering from Belarus, said Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. There have been no injury reports and Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told parliament on Thursday Poland's logistical support for Ukraine may have been a motivation for the incursions - most aid for Ukraine transits via Poland.
"This is an attempt to weaken NATO's and Poland's willingness to support Ukraine," he said.
Cooper meets Zelensky in first trip as foreign secretary
Friday 12 September 2025 18:01
,
Alex Croft
Earlier, we brought you the news that new British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper was in Kyiv.
Here are pictures of her meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Berlin summons Russian ambassador over Poland drone incursion
Friday 12 September 2025 17:15
,
Alex Croft
The German foreign ministry said in an X post on Friday that it had summoned the Russian ambassador over this week's drone incursion into Polish airspace.
Here is what the ministry said:
By sending Russian drones into #NATO airspace, #Putin is acting in a dangerous and unacceptable way. That is why the Russian Ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today. NATO stands united in defending our Alliance territory and our security.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) September 12, 2025
Watch: Prince Harry makes surprise trip to Ukraine in support of soldiers
Friday 12 September 2025 15:51
,
Alex Croft
EU's next sanctions package on Russia must be 'tough as possible' - Danish foreign minister
Friday 12 September 2025 15:16
,
Alex Croft
The European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia must be "as tough as possible", Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency will push for the adoption of a 19th round of sanctions during its term which ends in December, Mr Lokke said.
"It must be a full-fledged sanctions package, addressing circumvention, the shadow fleet, the financial sector... we also need stronger transatlantic cooperation," he told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Rasmussen said that Denmark would also welcome any initiative from the United States on sanctions.
He added that the Nordic country would encourage more Ukrainian defence companies to establish themselves in Denmark in order to start production there.
"We are actually in dialogue with quite a few Ukrainian companies," he said.
The Danish government earlier this month said that Ukrainian Fire Point, maker of Flamingo missiles, will start producing fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
Trump says he will 'come down strong' on Putin
Friday 12 September 2025 14:45
,
Daniel Keane
President Trump has said he had long had a good relationship with Putin, but expressed frustration at his failure to end the war.
"We're going to have to come down very, very strong," he told Fox News.
Trump said sanctions on banks and oil were an option, along with tariffs, but European countries also needed to participate.
"But I've already done it. I've done a lot," Trump said, noting that India - one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil - was facing a 50% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus start military drills on Polish border
Friday 12 September 2025 14:28
,
Daniel Keane
Russia and Belarus have begun major joint military drills on Nato’s eastern borders, sparking fresh security concerns just days after Poland shot down Russian attack drones that entered its airspace.
The manoeuvres, known as the “Zapad 2025” drills, began on Friday and will last until Tuesday, taking place close to Nato members’ Poland, Lithuania and Latvia’s borders.
Russian officials said the exercises are “the final stage of this year’s joint training between the two countries’ armies” and said troops will practice actions “at firing ranges in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation and in the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea”.
Read our full story here.
Trump says his patience with Putin is 'running out fast'
Friday 12 September 2025 14:00
,
Daniel Keane
Donald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said: “It's sort of running out and running out fast.“
Trump has given Putin several deadlines to take steps to end the three-year conflict, but so far has not imposed sanctions or other penalties on Moscow.
Denmark to buy $9billion of air defence systems in largest arms purchase ever
Friday 12 September 2025 13:30
,
Alex Croft
Denmark plans to buy European-made air defence systems for 58 billion Danish crowns ($9.11 billion), its largest arms purchase ever, the country's defence minister said on Friday, citing a challenging security situation.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen in February ordered the military to "buy buy buy" equipment in preparation for potential future Russian aggression in Europe.
Denmark plans to procure eight systems, including the long-range SAMP/T platform produced by Eurosam, a consortium of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, as well as medium-range systems manufactured by Norway, Germany or France.
"There is no doubt that the security situation is challenged," defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters on Friday.
"We have seen how Russia has violated Polish airspace with several drones... It is a reminder to all of us about the importance of strengthening our combat power," he added.
Watch: Trump pledges ‘vicious’ response in tribute to murdered Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska
Friday 12 September 2025 13:00
,
Alex Croft
Warsaw again refutes Trump's suggestion that Russian incursion was a mistake
Friday 12 September 2025 12:30
,
Alex Croft
There can be no mistake with such a large-scale attack on Poland, a Polish official said in response to US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that Wednesday’ Russian drone incursion might have been accidental.
"I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there's no question of a mistake - this was a deliberate Russian attack," deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk told local TV broadcaster Polsat News.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who visits Kyiv on Friday, also responded to Trump's words. "On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine. These were not mistakes," he said in a video posted on X.
At Poland's request, the UN Security Council will meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will begin at 3pm local time (8pm UK time), Polish foreign affairs ministry said.
Prince Harry visits Ukraine on surprise trip to offer help to soldiers injured in war
Friday 12 September 2025 12:00
,
Alex Croft
Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to pledge his support for Ukrainian soldiers injured in the country’s war against Russia.
The Duke of Sussex was invited by the Ukrainian government as he said he aims to do “everything possible” to help the thousands of wounded military personnel, according to reports.
Alongside a team from his Invictus Games Foundation – which was founded by Harry in 2014 to enable injured veterans to take part in sporting events – the duke is set to outline new projects that will support the wounded in Kyiv in their rehabilitation. The initiatives are expected to later be rolled out across the country.
Prince Harry reports:
Russia and Belarus begin major military exercise on Nato border
Friday 12 September 2025 11:31
,
Alex Croft
Russian and Belarus began a major joint military exercise on Nato's doorstep on Friday that will involve drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland, with support from its Nato allies, shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The Zapad ("West") exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident, for which Russia denied responsibility.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
French Rafale fighters deployed to protect Poland
Friday 12 September 2025 11:00
,
Alex Croft
France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday on X.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
A French military official said the warplanes had already been deployed to Poland prior to Tuesday's incursions.
The twin-engined jet is designed for various purposes including in-depth and anti-ship strikes, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions.
France to summon Russian ambassador over Poland drone incursion
Friday 12 September 2025 10:29
,
Alex Croft
Outgoing French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France will summon the Russian ambassador on Friday over this week's drone incursion into Poland's airspace, which he told France Inter radio was "not an accident".
France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after the drone incursions, French president Emmanuel Macron said late on Thursday.
Watch: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
Friday 12 September 2025 10:01
,
Alex Croft
German parliament calls for Nato to down Russian drones over Ukraine
Friday 12 September 2025 09:30
,
Alex Croft
The defence committee of Germany’s parliament has said the Nato alliance must down Russian drones which could threat its territory even if they are still in Ukrainian airspace.
Thomas Röwekamp, the committee’s chair, said Nato is capable of countering the “very serious challenges” posed by Russia.
“The best way to counter drones during a war is to destroy their production facilities and launch systems", he said, adding that it is important "that Nato partners quickly equip Ukraine so that it can take measures against these targets on Russian soil”.
He added:"It should be possible, with the consent of the affected country, such as Ukraine, to down drones that threaten NATO territory, even when they are in their airspace."
Fresh UK sanctions to target ships carrying Russian oil
Friday 12 September 2025 08:59
,
Alex Croft
We earlier brought you the news that the UK has launched a new package of sanctions on Russia.
Here’s a little more detail on what the sanctions include.
- They will target ships carrying Russian oil as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to produce Russian weapons.
- 70 more ships transporting Russian oil and 30 companies and individuals supplying weapons kits are being targeted.
- Firms located in China and Turkey are among the sanctions.
- The package has been issued as a response to recent Russian aggression, referring to the higher number of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and the recent violation of Nato airspace in Poland.
- New foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital.”
New UK foreign secretary arrives in Ukraine
Friday 12 September 2025 08:36
,
Alex Croft
Prince Harry's second trip to Ukraine this year
Friday 12 September 2025 07:58
,
Alex Croft
Earlier, we brought you the news that Prince Harry is making a surprise trip to Kyiv today on the invitation of the Ukrainian government.
The prince is arriving with a team from his Invictus Games Foundation to detail his charity's plans to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers, the Guardian newspaper reported.
It is the second visit Harry, the younger son of Britain's King Charles, has made to Ukraine this year, after he visited a centre for wounded military personnel in Lviv in April.
He was invited to the capital by the Ukrainian government, he said, and received permission from the British government and his wife before travelling.
The trip comes at the end of Harry's four-day visit to Britain from his home in California, where he met his father King Charles for the first time in 18 months.
Harry served for 10 years in the British Army before setting up the Invictus Games Foundation, a charity which runs an international sporting event for military personnel wounded in action.
Breaking: UK announces new sanctions package on Russia
Friday 12 September 2025 07:46
,
Alex Croft
Britain announced a new package of Russia-related sanctions on Friday, including 70 new specifications and 30 new designations, a government statement said.
We’re working to bring you more on this.
Russia drone incursion into Poland 'unacceptable' - Orban
Friday 12 September 2025 07:45
,
Alex Croft
Russia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace on Wednesday is unacceptable, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday.
Hungary has shown solidarity with Poland, a country that was its "historic ally", he said.
"Despite the current political skirmishes, the Poles are our friends," Mr Orban said. "So we had said about the incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory right away that it was unacceptable."
Mr Orban is one of a small number of outliers in Europe who typically hold a far softer stance towards Moscow.
Polish foreign minister visits Kyiv days after Russian drone incursion
Friday 12 September 2025 07:29
,
Alex Croft
Ukraine's foreign minister welcomed his Polish counterpart in Kyiv ahead of talks on shared security, EU and NATO accession and pressure on Moscow on Friday.
"Against the backdrop of Russia's escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together," Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
Welcome to Kyiv, Radek!
— Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) September 12, 2025
I was glad to meet @sikorskiradek and @anneapplebaum at the Kyiv train station this morning.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together.
We will hold substantial talks… pic.twitter.com/k5gRYqoeSN
Russia and Belarus start 'Zapad 2025' joint military exercise
Friday 12 September 2025 07:14
,
Arpan Rai
Russian and Belarus kickstarted a major joint military exercise involving drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the drills, including near the Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
