British MoD: Russian drones in Poland “new level of hostility against Europe”

British Defence Secretary John Healey has called on the UK armed forces to strengthen NATO’s air defences over Poland after the country was forced to shoot down Russian drones in its airspace.

He made the statement after meeting in London on September 10 with defence officials from Poland, Italy, France, and Germany, Caliber.Az reports citing The Independent.

Healey described the incident as an “extremely reckless” action by Vladimir Putin, which “only serves to strengthen the unity between our NATO nations.”

Directly addressing the Russian president, he added: “Your aggression only serves to strengthen our determination to stand with Ukraine. And your aggression reminds us that a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine and that the security of Europe starts in Ukraine.”

The remarks came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Russia’s “egregious and unprecedented violation” of NATO airspace, following the incursion of multiple Russian drones over Poland, with those posing a direct threat being shot down.

Healey warned that the West is entering a “new era of threat,” noting that Putin has demonstrated a “new level of hostility against Europe.”

European leaders expressed similar concerns, suggesting Russia’s actions are part of a broader pattern of escalation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described it as the “most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began,” adding that the attack appeared to be “intentional, not accidental.”

By Nazrin Sadigova