Poland Warns Of Credible Russian Attack Plan To Test NATO Defenses

Poland said it has credible intelligence that Russia is planning a major attack to test NATO defenses, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told PBS NewsHour on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.^[1]

Polish authorities said a Russian helicopter crossed into Polish airspace from Kaliningrad in the past day, prompting Polish aircraft to scramble and escort it away.^[1] Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned Parliament that Russia could send drones or projectiles into eastern NATO countries, cause destruction and then label the incidents accidents to test the alliance's response.^[1] Polish analysts and former security officials said they expect more sabotage, drone and missile incursions, and disinformation across Europe despite Moscow's public denials.^[1]

Moscow has denied planning such attacks, but Polish officials say the helicopter incursion and other recent episodes fit a pattern of probing NATO's defenses.^[1] Analysts and former security officials expect Moscow to step up sabotage, drone and missile incursions, and disinformation across Europe even as it publicly rejects responsibility.^[1]

The warning heightens pressure on NATO allies to clarify rules for responding to ambiguous incidents and to reinforce air and border monitoring along the alliance's eastern flank.

1. PBS News