Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk says intelligence assessments point to Russian plans for hybrid strikes against countries backing Ukraine, as Warsaw said it scrambled military aircraft over a Russian attack close to its border.
Key facts
- Poland's PM Donald Tusk says intelligence points to Russian plans for hybrid strikes against Ukraine's allies.
- Tusk described the intelligence assessment as 'very consistent and convincing'.
- Warsaw said it scrambled military planes in response to a Russian attack in western Ukraine, close to its border, according to Al Jazeera.
- French President Emmanuel Macron convened the leaders of France's political parties to discuss the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine and their consequences on the energy market.
- Macron's office said military and intelligence officers would share information with the party leaders at the meeting.
Poland has warned that Russia may be planning hybrid strikes against countries that support Ukraine, according to reporting by the Guardian and Al Jazeera. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said intelligence assessments pointed towards such Russian plans.
Tusk described the intelligence assessment as ‘very consistent and convincing’, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of events across Europe on 17 September 2026.
Al Jazeera reported that Warsaw also said it scrambled military planes in response to a Russian attack in western Ukraine, close to the Polish border.
Separately, the Guardian reported developments from Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron convened the leaders of France’s political parties to discuss the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine and their consequences on the energy market.
According to a statement from Macron’s office, military and intelligence officers were set to share with the party leaders the information they had provided to the president.
It is not yet clear what specific actions, if any, Russia is planning, or how European governments intend to respond. Russia has not commented in the sources reviewed.
Why it matters
Poland's warning that Russia may target Ukraine's allies raises concerns about the conflict affecting countries beyond Ukraine's borders, including NATO members. The reported scrambling of military aircraft near the Polish border points to the potential for escalation for countries backing Kyiv.
Frequently asked questions
What did Poland say about Russian plans?
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said intelligence assessments, which he called 'very consistent and convincing', point towards Russian plans for hybrid strikes against countries supporting Ukraine.
Why did Poland scramble military planes?
According to Al Jazeera, Warsaw scrambled military planes in response to a Russian attack in western Ukraine, close to the Polish border.
What is happening in France related to Ukraine?
French President Emmanuel Macron convened the chiefs of different political parties to discuss the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine and their consequences on the energy market, with a meeting scheduled for Friday morning at 10:30am local time.