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Poland says it shot down several Russian attack drones that violated Polish airspace overnight. It's the first time a NATO member has destroyed Russian military assets in the alliance's airspace since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. Moscow says there's no proof the drones are Russian. NPR's Joanna Kakissis reports from Kyiv.
JOANNA KAKISSIS, BYLINE: Poland's leaders are calling this, quote, "an act of aggression." Residents in Polish regions bordering Ukraine were told to seek shelter. Poland also paused operations at four airports, including its main hub in Warsaw. In a televised statement from Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the drones posed an immediate threat.
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PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK: (Through interpreter) We are most likely dealing with a large-scale provocation. But we are in touch with our allies, and I'm in constant contact with the secretary general of NATO to make sure everything is handled effectively. Our allies take the situation very seriously.
KAKISSIS: Russian drones have crossed into Polish territory before, but never on this scale. The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called it the most significant violation of European airspace since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this incursion was no accident. Ukrainian security analyst Hanna Shelest agrees.
HANNA SHELEST: We understand that it is a deliberate policy of checking air defense and the procedures of NATO countries, how they will react to this, because the weak reaction immediately will encourage them to the continuous action and increase of such activities.
KAKISSIS: Meanwhile, back in Poland, Tusk told Poles to remain calm.
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TUSK: (Through interpreter) There's no reason to panic. Life will go on as normal. We will update citizens so they have full clarity on what's happening in Polish airspace or on the Polish border.
KAKISSIS: Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland and other NATO countries have been on alert in case the war expands into their territory.
Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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