Tensions are rising in Europe.

Poland, a NATO member, says Russian drones entered its airspace.

Russia has now responded to the allegations.

Crashed into a residential building
In the early hours of Wednesday, Poland and several NATO allies scrambled fighter jets after reports of Russian drones entering Polish airspace.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there was 19 airspace intrusions, with a “large proportion” of the drones coming from Belarus.

According to BBC, the alert came amid Russian attacks in western Ukraine, near the Polish border. Polish and Dutch forces were among those involved in shooting down the drones, and residents in several areas were urged to stay indoors.

”My thanks and congratulations to the Polish Operational Command and our NATO pilots for shooting down Russian drones over Poland. Actions speak louder than words,” he wrote on X.

According to Polsat News, one of the Russian drones crashed into a residential building in the city of Wyryki after being shot down. Local authorities say no one was injured.

Meanwhile, four major airports, including Warsaw’s, were closed Wednesday morning due to “unscheduled military activity,” according to reports.

“Absolutely reckless”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the violation of Poland’s airspace “absolutely reckless” and warned that it was not an “isolated incident.”

Russia’s actions have heightened fears of a larger conflict, potentially even a third world war. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was the first time Russian drones had been shot down over NATO territory, and the incursion involved a “huge number” of them.

“We are most likely dealing with a large-scale provocation,” Tusk told Polish television following an emergency meeting of the country’s National Security Bureau. He added that the “situation is serious” and emphasized that Poland is “ready to repel” such attacks.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also commented on the incident, saying, “Russia’s war is escalating, not ending. Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.”

Russia’s response
Russia has now offered an explanation for why the drones entered Polish airspace.

The country denies carrying out an intentional attack on Poland after several drones were shot down in the country’s airspace overnight.

Reuters reports that the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement to Sky News, saying, “The strike objectives have been achieved. All designated targets were hit.”

The ministry added, “No targets on the territory of Poland were planned for striking. The maximum flight range of the Russian UAVs used in the strike, which allegedly crossed the border with Poland, does not exceed 700 km. Nevertheless, we are ready to hold consultations with the Ministry of Defence of Poland on this matter.”

With both sides pointing fingers and tensions rising, questions remain: Was this a reckless provocation, or a misunderstood maneuver? And how far could such incidents push Europe toward a larger conflict?