British Forces are being primed to bolster Europe’s defences after Russia’s drone onslaught pushed the continent to the brink of conflict. Defence Secretary John Healey said UK troops could help beef up NATO’s air defence over Poland following Vladimir Putin’s “reckless” attacks.
He insisted European nations - with the help of the UK military - will “stand firm”. His stark warning came after Kremlin drones flew into Polish airspace in a brazen act of aggression, forcing Warsaw to shoot them down and trigger NATO Article 4 - one below the threshold of war.
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 Thingprimenutritionsecrets |
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Russia Poland recap: UK in major pledge after 'unprecedented' move as WW3 fears skyrocket
Russian drones 'targeted NATO base in Poland' in major WW3 threat
Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia as WW3 fears soar - 'I am ready to go'
Keir Starmer break silence as Putin fires Russian drones into Poland
Sky News airs breaking WW3 bulletin as NATO 'dangerously close' to evoking Article 5
NATO on high alert as Russian nuclear submarines surge into North Sea
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
Fox News issues humiliating blow to Donald Trump in devastating Zelensky news
Putin is 'mocking Trump' with 'lies and denials' drone attack says Poland
UK urged to build new missile shield with NATO after Russian drone incursions
The lesser-known campaign that helped changed the course of the Second World War
Putin just invited catastrophe - question now is: will West make same mistake?
Putin's Poland drone attack a win-win for the Kremlin as NATO faces war dilemma
Russia's blunt 1-word comment deals devastating blow to Ukraine peace talks
Russia Poland recap: UK in major pledge after 'unprecedented' move as WW3 fears skyrocket
Russian drones 'targeted NATO base in Poland' in major WW3 threat
Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia as WW3 fears soar - 'I am ready to go'
Keir Starmer break silence as Putin fires Russian drones into Poland
Sky News airs breaking WW3 bulletin as NATO 'dangerously close' to evoking Article 5
NATO on high alert as Russian nuclear submarines surge into North Sea
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
Fox News issues humiliating blow to Donald Trump in devastating Zelensky news
Putin is 'mocking Trump' with 'lies and denials' drone attack says Poland
UK urged to build new missile shield with NATO after Russian drone incursions
The lesser-known campaign that helped changed the course of the Second World War
Putin just invited catastrophe - question now is: will West make same mistake?
Putin's Poland drone attack a win-win for the Kremlin as NATO faces war dilemma
Russia's blunt 1-word comment deals devastating blow to Ukraine peace talks
Russia Poland recap: UK in major pledge after 'unprecedented' move as WW3 fears skyrocket
Russian drones 'targeted NATO base in Poland' in major WW3 threat
Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia as WW3 fears soar - 'I am ready to go'
Keir Starmer break silence as Putin fires Russian drones into Poland
Sky News airs breaking WW3 bulletin as NATO 'dangerously close' to evoking Article 5
NATO on high alert as Russian nuclear submarines surge into North Sea
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
Fox News issues humiliating blow to Donald Trump in devastating Zelensky news
Putin is 'mocking Trump' with 'lies and denials' drone attack says Poland
UK urged to build new missile shield with NATO after Russian drone incursions
The lesser-known campaign that helped changed the course of the Second World War
Putin just invited catastrophe - question now is: will West make same mistake?
Putin's Poland drone attack a win-win for the Kremlin as NATO faces war dilemma
Russia's blunt 1-word comment deals devastating blow to Ukraine peace talks
Image of one of the downed Russian drones (Image: -)
Read more: Expert blames Trump for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the military clash leaves the NATO-member country the "closest to open conflict since World War Two".
The UK already has around 300 armed forces personnel in Poland.
Powered By
10 Sec
London protests: Police block protesters
Next
Stay
Until July, RAF Typhoons were operating from Poland as part of Nato’s air policing mission – a task shared between the members of the alliance.
Sponsored
Add an Ice Cube on a Burger When Grilling, Here's Why
Undo
Mr Healey, said the move took Russia’s aggression to “a new level of hostility.
Speaking after talks in London with defence officials from Poland, Italy, France and Germany, he said: “Russia’s actions are reckless, they’re dangerous, they’re unprecedented.
“We see what Putin is doing. Yet again he is testing us. Yet again we will stand firm.”
He added: “I’ve asked our UK Armed Forces to look at options to bolster Nato’s air defence over Poland.”
Some 19 Russian drones flew across the Polish border during an attack on Ukraine overnight into Wednesday.
Four of them were shot down by NATO fighter jets while the rest are understood to have crashed .
It is the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022 that NATO has directly clashed with Russia.
The Russian military said there had been “no plans to target facilities on the territory of Poland".
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Image: AP)
Sir Keir Starmer condemned Russia’s “egregious and unprecedented violation” while Mark Rutte, Secretary General of the military alliance, said Putin’s actions were “absolutely reckless” and “absolutely dangerous”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for decisive action from Western Allies, warning that Russia’s actions set an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”
He said: "Allies are resolved to defend every inch of allied territory."
Article 4, a clause in Nato’s founding treaty, brings all of the allies together when the security or territory of one is threatened.
But it stops short of Article 5’s key promise that an attack on one is an attack on all that demands a military response.
Sir Keir said in a statement: “This morning’s barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning.
“This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin’s blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day.”
Sir Keir said the UK and partners will continue to “ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace”.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said support for Ukraine is “unwavering”.
“The attack last night in Poland shows Putin’s belief that he can somehow act with impunity,” he said.
NATO warplanes roared into action when the fleet of hostile drones breached Polish airspace.
Air defences blasted several out of the sky - damaging a house in the eastern village of Wyryki.
Wreckage was also found in Czosnowka as terrified residents were ordered to stay indoors across three regions.
Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS planes and NATO refuelling aircraft all took part in the overnight operation, while Patriot systems tracked the swarm on radar.
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Poland drone strikes were proof of a “deliberate policy shift by Putin”.
He welcomed Poland's decision to trigger Nato's Article Four and urged allies to stand up “to bullying behaviour”.
He said: “Over the last month we have seen bomb damage to the British Council and the EU headquarters in Kyiv, we have seen the first strikes on Ukrainian government buildings in Kyiv, and now these strikes on Poland.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
Fox News issues humiliating blow to Donald Trump in devastating Zelensky news
Putin is 'mocking Trump' with 'lies and denials' drone attack says Poland
UK urged to build new missile shield with NATO after Russian drone incursions
The lesser-known campaign that helped changed the course of the Second World War
Putin just invited catastrophe - question now is: will West make same mistake?
Putin's Poland drone attack a win-win for the Kremlin as NATO faces war dilemma
Russia's blunt 1-word comment deals devastating blow to Ukraine peace talks
The New Black Forest CollectionYETI |
Shop Now
Undo
Russia Poland recap: UK in major pledge after 'unprecedented' move as WW3 fears skyrocket
Russian drones 'targeted NATO base in Poland' in major WW3 threat
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 Thingprimenutritionsecrets |
Undo
Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia as WW3 fears soar - 'I am ready to go'
Keir Starmer break silence as Putin fires Russian drones into Poland
20% Off Lowcountry Peach CollectionYETI |
Shop Now
Undo
Sky News airs breaking WW3 bulletin as NATO 'dangerously close' to evoking Article 5
NATO on high alert as Russian nuclear submarines surge into North Sea
One San Jose Bank Is Paying Record High Interest Rates - See the ListSavingsPro |
Undo
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
Cardiologist: Strong Arms After 50 Comes Down To Thisprimenutritionsecrets |
Undo
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Always Place an Ice Cube on Your Burger When Grilling & Just WatchThe Life Manual Hub |
Undo
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Add an Ice Cube on a Burger When Grilli ng, Here's WhyThe Life Manual Hub |
Undo
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
Fox News issues humiliating blow to Donald Trump in devastating Zelensky news
The New Black Forest CollectionYETI |
Shop Now
Undo
Putin is 'mocking Trump' with 'lies and denials' drone attack says Poland
UK urged to build new missile shield with NATO after Russian drone incursions
20% Off Lowcountry Peach CollectionYETI |
Shop Now
Undo
The lesser-known campaign that helped changed the course of the Second World War
Putin just invited catastrophe - question now is: will West make same mistake?
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 Thingprimenutritionsecrets |
Undo
Putin's Poland drone attack a win-win for the Kremlin as NATO faces war dilemma
Russia's blunt 1-word comment deals devastating blow to Ukraine peace talks
Russia Poland recap: UK in major pledge after 'unprecedented' move as WW3 fears skyrocket
Russian drones 'targeted NATO base in Poland' in major WW3 threat
Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia as WW3 fears soar - 'I am ready to go'
Keir Starmer break silence as Putin fires Russian drones into Poland
Sky News airs breaking WW3 bulletin as NATO 'dangerously close' to evoking Article 5
NATO on high alert as Russian nuclear submarines surge into North Sea
Trump blamed for Russian drones in Poland as death of NATO feared if Putin's unpunished
NATO scrambles fighter jets in 2 countries as Russia sparks WW3 fears
NATO hasn't heard last of Putin - West made crucial error after drone incursion
Putin issues chilling threat to UK and NATO as he speaks of 'legitimate target'
Poland SHOOTS DOWN Putin's suicide drones in first Nato military clash since invasion
Experts warn of the horrifying WW3 signs a Putin invasion of two NATO allies is imminent
Russian propaganda calls on Putin to launch major missile attack on London
One San Jose Bank Is Paying Record High...SavingsPro
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Why seniors everywhere are turning to this...Brain Health
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Always Place an Ice Cube on Your Burger When...The Life Manual Hub
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
This elderly woman lives in a shed in California...Tips and Tricks
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
“Putin is trying to make us back off. He is trying to send a warning to the US and Nato that he is no longer going to turn a blind eye to our support for Ukraine.”
Moscow, meanwhile, continues to barrage Ukraine with relentless drone strikes.
Savage new strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least one and wounded others as Russia unleashed more than 40 cruise and ballistic missiles and over 400 drones, with Lviv, Lutsk and Vinnytsia among the cities hit.
Read next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy