# Poland warns of Russian drone strikes on Ukraine supporters

> European leaders gather to coordinate defense as Russia escalates hybrid threats and denies hostile intent.
- Title: Poland warns of Russian drone strikes on Ukraine supporters
- Summary: European leaders gather to coordinate defense as Russia escalates hybrid threats and denies hostile intent. Poland and other European nations backing Ukraine…
- Keywords: carpathian eight, ukraine, poland, russia, hybrid threats, drone strikes, european security, nato, zelenskyy, tusk, putin, eu support
- Source: Fortune — https://fortune.com/2026/09/19/polish-prime-minister-russia-hybrid-war-drone-rocket-strikes-european-countries-ukraine
- Author: Samya Kullab
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: carpathian eight, ukraine, poland, russia, hybrid threats, drone strikes, european security, nato, zelenskyy, tusk, putin, eu support
## Eight nations meet on Ukraine cooperation
Ukraine hosted leaders from Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary for the inaugural Carpathian Eight summit to deepen regional ties on security, energy and cross-border economics.
## Poland warns of Russian drone strikes
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia is planning hybrid strikes using drones or rockets against European countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland itself.
## Europe faces escalating hybrid threats
Poland, Germany and Denmark have accused Russia of drone incursions, sabotage, arson and surveillance of defense facilities, raising alarm across NATO about coordinated Russian hybrid warfare.
## EU seeks NATO-style defense framework
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a unified EU mechanism to respond to Russian hybrid attacks that fall below armed conflict but threaten national security.
## Putin denies aggression, warns of retaliation
Putin denied Russia has hostile intentions toward Europe but warned it will respond to Western aggression, specifically threatening retaliation for seizures of Russian merchant vessels.

> Let's live in peace, otherwise we will be forced to respond in kind.
## Russia targets Western weapons supplies
Russia's Foreign Ministry protested Britain's drone deliveries to Ukraine and warned that British military facilities in Ukraine used for strikes are legitimate targets for Russian retaliation.
## Ukraine receives 3.8 billion in EU aid
Ukraine received a 3.3 billion euro tranche from the EU to strengthen defense capabilities including missile and drone purchases, as Kyiv faces a projected 27 billion dollar budget deficit.
## Russian strikes kill civilians, damage infrastructure
Overnight Russian drone and rocket strikes killed at least three people and injured eight across Zhytomyr and Kharkiv regions, destroying warehouses, damaging a suburban train and sparking fires.
## Russia claims massive drone interceptions
Russia's Defense Ministry said it destroyed 629 Ukrainian drones overnight across 14 regions and annexed territories, while Moscow Mayor Sobyanin reported 350 drones targeted the capital.
## Russia strikes Ukrainian ports and logistics
Russian forces attacked Ukrainian ports and a Nova Poshta logistics facility near Odesa, hitting a bulk carrier and a distribution center the Defense Ministry claimed stored military cargo from Europe.
## Key takeaway

Poland and other European nations backing Ukraine face increasing Russian hybrid attacks including drones, sabotage and cyberattacks, prompting calls for stronger coordinated EU defense responses.