The Ukrainian President has warned that Vladimir Putin is starting his “expansion of the war” has Russian drones “violated” Polish airspace once again including Romania.
Volodymyr Zelensky said that Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets after a Russian drone flew into their airspace whilst Russian forces were targeting Ukrainian infrastructure overnight.
Zelensky warned that these violations are not isolated and Russia “knows exactly” where their drones are heading and how long they can stay up within their flight time.
He said, “Today, Romania scrambled combat aircraft because of a Russian drone in its airspace. According to current data, the drone penetrated about 10 kilometers into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes.
“Also today, Poland responded militarily to the threat of Russian attack drones. In fact, Russian drones have been in different regions of Ukraine all day, including the northern regions, practically along the border with Belarus.
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“According to preliminary information, Belarusian airspace was also used for entry into Ukraine’s airspace toward Volyn. The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air.
“Their routes are always calculated. This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia – and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses.
“That is why action must always be preventive, based on the principle that there are no minor military threats from those who are accustomed to destroying the independence and lives of others.
“Russia is accustomed to this and must feel the consequences. Sanctions against Russia are needed. Tariffs against Russian trade are needed.
“Collective defense is needed – and Ukraine has proposed to its partners the creation of just such a system of protection. Do not wait for dozens of ‘shaheds’ and ballistic missiles before finally making decisions.”
Last Wednesday the Polish Foreign Minister has said the Russia drone strike on Poland was “planned.”
Radoslaw Sikorski said that Russian “cruise missiles” and other drones have “veered into Polish airspace” on quite a few occasions.
Sikorski told journalists, “Russian drones have veered into Polish airspace before – not just drones but also cruise missiles.
“When one or two drones does it, it is possible it was a technical malfunction. But there were 19 breeches and it simply defies imagination that is was accidental.”
He added the “mass use of drones is a threat to all of Nato,” adding, “we need to create a drone wall.”
The UK and Europe is now at it “closest to open conflict since World War Two,” the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned.
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