Tusk: Russia plans hybrid strikes on countries supporting Ukraine
Polish authorities possess intelligence information about Russian plans for hybrid attacks against states that actively support Ukraine. This was stated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The statement was made on September 17 during a speech dedicated to the 87th anniversary of the USSR's attack on Poland in 1939. According to Tusk, current Russia is using various forms of pressure against European states, seeking to weaken their support for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this is not only about traditional information or cyber operations. According to him, Polish special services are receiving data about possible further actions by Russia against countries supporting Kyiv. Tusk did not publicly disclose details of the intelligence information.
This corresponds to warnings that the head of the Polish government made several days ago. On September 13, after a special meeting at the Government Security Centre, Tusk stated that Poland had received its own and allied intelligence data about possible further Russian escalation. He then warned that in the coming weeks and months Russia's activity might intensify and affect, among other things, the territory of Poland.
Tusk also said that Polish authorities knew in advance about Russian plans to disrupt the work of Ukrainian border crossings, including attempts to paralyze or destroy them. This is of direct importance for Poland, since key transport routes and a significant part of Western aid to Ukraine pass through the Polish-Ukrainian border.
The new statements came amid another Russian strike on western Ukraine on September 17. According to Polish authorities, a Russian jet drone fell or was destroyed about four kilometers from the Polish border near the Dorohusk — Yahodyn crossing. Polish military scrambled fighter jets, but no violation of the country's airspace was recorded.
Tusk earlier stated that the escalation of Russian actions has already become a fact. After attacks near the Polish border, the authorities put the relevant services on high alert and stated the need to prepare for a joint response with allies in case of further aggravation.
The Polish Foreign Ministry also officially stated that Russia is conducting hybrid operations against NATO and EU countries, including sabotage and attempts to attack critical infrastructure. Warsaw links the intensification of such actions to the support for Ukraine and insists on strengthening NATO's eastern flank and new restrictions against the Russian defense sector.
Speaking on the anniversary of the Soviet invasion on September 17, 1939, Tusk drew a parallel between Poland's historical experience and Russia's current war against Ukraine. He previously emphasized that one of the main lessons of 1939 is the inadmissibility of a situation where a state that has become a victim of aggression remains without allied support.
Based on materials: Onet, Office of the Prime Minister of Poland
