The Kremlin has unleashed one of its most dangerous claims yet, accusing NATO of being “at war with Russia” after Polish and allied forces intercepted multiple drones crossing into NATO airspace. The escalation comes after what officials in Warsaw described as a “deliberate” series of incursions from Russian-controlled territory — drones believed to be targeting Ukraine but instead drifting into Poland. Reuters confirmed the incident triggered immediate air defense alerts across eastern Poland.
The Polish Defense Ministry announced that at least four drones were destroyed over the Lublin region late Saturday night. According to BBC News, debris from the strikes landed dangerously close to civilian areas, leading to temporary evacuations and frantic calls for stronger NATO intervention. “We are treating this as a direct threat to our sovereignty,” said a ministry spokesperson. “Our forces acted decisively, and NATO is fully informed.”
Within hours, Moscow responded with fury. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Poland’s actions constituted an “act of war,” accusing NATO of orchestrating aggression against Russia. The Guardian reported Peskov’s statement: “By attacking Russian drones, NATO has crossed the final red line. From this moment, we consider ourselves in a state of war with the alliance.”
The remarks drew immediate backlash from NATO capitals. Washington dismissed the Kremlin’s rhetoric as “absurd” and “manufactured provocation,” with officials insisting the drones posed a clear and present danger. The New York Times noted that Article 5 consultations were already underway in Brussels, though leaders stressed they were not yet treating the incident as a formal act of war.
Poland just shot down Russian drones over its territory. Kremlin calls it “war.” NATO calls it self-defense. The stakes couldn’t be higher. — @IanBrzezinski
For residents near the Polish-Ukrainian border, the fear was immediate. “We heard explosions above us — the sky was on fire,” one eyewitness told Deutsche Welle. “Children were crying, everyone ran into cellars. We don’t care about rhetoric — we just want this war to stop spreading here.”
Analysts say Russia’s sudden declaration may be a deliberate attempt to intimidate NATO into scaling back support for Ukraine. According to Financial Times, Moscow has grown increasingly desperate as Ukrainian forces, backed by Western weaponry, push further east into Russian-occupied territory. Labeling NATO as a direct belligerent could give the Kremlin new justification for mobilization at home.
Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was defiant. In remarks carried by Politico Europe, he declared: “Russia will not intimidate us with its threats. We will defend every inch of our territory, and NATO stands united behind us.” The comments drew applause in parliament as lawmakers chanted “NATO! NATO!”
Kremlin calls NATO “at war” after Polish defenses down Russian drones. This is Putin’s playbook: escalate, threaten, and spread fear. We must not blink. — @anneapplebaum
Meanwhile, NATO fighter jets scrambled across Eastern Europe throughout the night. NBC News reported that German and U.S. aircraft flew escort patrols, reinforcing Polish airspace amid fears of further incursions. Though no additional drones have been sighted since dawn, commanders warned the situation remained “extremely volatile.”
The White House echoed those warnings. A senior official told CNN that Washington was “prepared for any eventuality” but stressed that NATO “does not seek escalation.” European Union leaders, however, urged Moscow to immediately halt drone operations near NATO territory, warning of “catastrophic consequences.”
For the Kremlin to declare NATO “at war” because Poland defended its skies is pure propaganda. But propaganda can kill. — @edwardlucas
Ukrainian officials, for their part, were quick to seize on the incident. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Kremlin’s outburst proves “Russia knows it is losing.” He thanked Poland for its “courage and clarity,” adding that Ukraine’s fight is inseparable from the defense of NATO allies. His comments were carried by Kyiv Post, which also reported celebrations in Ukrainian towns upon hearing Polish forces had downed Russian drones.
Experts caution, however, that Moscow’s words could quickly spiral into new military action. “When Russia labels NATO an enemy, it gives itself political cover for escalation,” explained a defense analyst interviewed by Euronews. “Even if they know it’s bluster, rhetoric like this hardens positions and makes accidental conflict more likely.”
As dawn broke over Lublin, residents swept up shattered glass and collected drone debris scattered across fields. Parents walked children to school under the roar of NATO jets circling above. For them, the war in Ukraine no longer feels distant. It feels like it has arrived at their doorsteps.
The Kremlin’s words tonight are reckless beyond measure. NATO is not “at war” — but Poland’s people just lived through Russian drones exploding above them. — @McFaul
Whether Moscow truly intends to escalate or is simply trying to terrify its enemies, one fact is clear: Europe hasn’t felt this close to the edge since the Cold War. Each drone shot down over Poland is no longer just about Ukraine’s survival. It’s about NATO’s credibility — and the world holding its breath to see what comes next.
