Camilla Jessen
Zelensky has described Russia’s latest attack on his country, in which drones entered Polish airspace, as “another step towards escalation”
As Russia’s drone attacks spill over into NATO territory, Ukrainian leaders call for a firm response from the West, warning that inaction will only embolden further aggression.
Drones Cross into Poland
During the night, multiple Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called Russia’s attack an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe” and a clear signal of rising escalation in the war.
The warning comes as Russia launched an unprecedented 415 drones and over 40 missiles against Ukraine in a single night, targeting 15 regions.
Zelensky confirmed that at least eight drones flew into Polish territory during the assault, prompting concern across Europe and a demand for stronger action from NATO and EU leaders.
“Moscow Always Pushes the Limits”
In a statement posted on Wednesday, Zelensky said that Russia continues to test the limits of what it can get away with—until it’s met with firm resistance.
“Moscow always goes beyond the limits of the possible and, if it does not meet a strong reaction, remains at the new level of escalation,” he said.
He detailed the humanitarian cost of the latest strikes, including a missile strike on a sewing workshop in the Khmelnitskyi region that injured three people, and confirmed that one civilian was killed in Zhytomyr.
Kyiv Urges Immediate Western Response
The Ukrainian government is now warning that delayed or soft responses to such acts will only encourage the Kremlin further.
Speaking on behalf of the administration, Zelensky wrote on X:
“Postponing restrictions against Russia and its accomplices only increases the brutality of the attacks.”
“Russia is Testing the West”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sîbiga echoed the president’s concerns, stating that Vladimir Putin is “testing the West” by expanding the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.
“A weak response today will only provoke Russia further, and Russian missiles and drones will fly further into Europe,” Sîbiga warned in a post on X.
His message implies that the Kremlin is deliberately escalating the scope of the war in order to gauge NATO’s tolerance and decision-making thresholds.
“Deliberate Strategy” to Expand War
Mykhailo Podoliak, senior adviser to President Zelensky, argued that the drone violation of Polish airspace was not an accident, but rather part of a calculated strategy.
“This is undoubtedly a completely conscious strategy. To test the ‘system of possible responses of the West’ and prove that it does not exist,” he said.
He added that the goal is to shock and intimidate European nations into withdrawing their support for Ukraine, gradually normalizing the idea that the war could and should expand into European territory.
Poland Labels It “An Act of Aggression”
The Polish military confirmed on Wednesday that it had used weapons to shoot down drones that entered its airspace during the Russian attack on Ukraine.
A government statement described the drone incursion as a “clear act of aggression.”
Airports across the country—including Warsaw, Lublin, and Rzeszow—were briefly closed as air defense systems were placed on high alert.
“Russia Will Never Voluntarily Withdraw”
Podoliak warned that viewing Russia as an aggressor that can be reasoned with is a dangerous illusion.
He reiterated Kyiv’s long-standing position that only firm, unified action from Western allies can prevent the war from spilling further into Europe.
“Living with the illusion that it is possible to appease the aggressor through compromises in its favor means only an inevitable massive tragedy for many European countries in the very near future,” he said.
