Poland says intelligence briefings point to possible Russian hybrid strikes against Ukraine backers.
Why it matters: The warning points to a broader security risk for countries supporting Kyiv and adds pressure on air defense and crisis-response planning. France is now taking visible protective steps around infrastructure.
- Donald Tusk told parliament on Sept. 17 that Polish intelligence assessments point to possible Russian hybrid strikes.
- Tusk said the suspected attacks could use drones and missiles and be framed as "accidental."
- He said the goal would be to weaken countries' willingness to invoke alliance provisions after an attack.
- On Sept. 18, Emmanuel Macron said the hybrid threat facing Europeans and France had intensified and ordered infrastructure protections.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said intelligence briefings indicate Russia may be preparing hybrid strikes against countries supporting Ukraine. He told parliament the suspected attacks could involve drones and missiles and could be presented as "accidental" to complicate a response. Reuters
Tusk said the aim would be to discourage or paralyze NATO members' willingness to trigger alliance provisions after an attack on a member state. The warning followed Russian strikes in western Ukraine near the Polish border, which prompted Poland to scramble military aircraft, according to AP. AP
France responded separately with new security steps. On Sept. 18, President Emmanuel Macron said the hybrid threat facing Europeans and France had intensified, and he ordered protections for infrastructure. AP
The Élysée said Macron also gathered leaders of France's political parties, along with intelligence and security chiefs, to review the consequences of the Ukraine war and the Middle East crisis for French security. Élysée
Yes, but: The warning is based on intelligence assessments, not a confirmed attack plan.