Tusk: Intelligence Warns Russia Plans ‘Accidental’ Hybrid Strikes Against Ukraine’s Allies

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Thursday that intelligence assessments indicate Russia’s plans in its war against Ukraine include “hybrid” drone and missile strikes against countries supporting Kyiv, including Poland. “The Russian plan, according to intelligence assessments ... includes hybrid strikes using drones and missiles on countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland,” Tusk told parliament.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. He warned there was a “real risk” that drones or other missiles could enter the territory of one or several NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank and cause damage. According to Tusk, Moscow could then portray such incidents as accidents in an effort to weaken NATO cohesion and convince member states that Article 5 – the alliance’s collective-defense provision – is “more theoretical than practical.” The warning comes after a series of Russian attacks increasingly close to Poland’s border with Ukraine. Earlier this week, Tusk said the threat of Russian provocations was real and could materialize “at any moment.” A Russian drone also fell or was destroyed just several kilometers from Poland during Thursday’s attack on western Ukraine, prompting Warsaw to scramble military aircraft and ready air defenses. Poland has become a critical route for Western military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and has repeatedly warned that Russia’s attacks near the frontier pose a growing security risk to NATO’s eastern flank. Other Topics of Interest Turkey Proposes Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Pact Similar to Grain Deal Ankara’s draft draws on the 2022 grain corridor as attacks on commercial vessels rise across the Black Sea. Tusk is due to visit Ukraine on Friday, Sept. 18, where he said he would discuss security cooperation and meet Ukrainian officials. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is also expected in Ukraine. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.