Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that incidents near Ukraine's western borders could precede more Russian provocations at crossings into Europe. Tusk said two incidents this week offered a preview of possible intensified Russian provocations at Ukrainian border crossings with European countries. Two people died when drones struck the Starokozache crossing between Ukraine and Moldova on Tuesday night. Ukraine's borders with European Union and NATO members have become critical routes since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Tusk said a direct threat to a Polish-Ukrainian crossing on Wednesday night was avoided through cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv. The Polish leader did not provide operational details about the second incident. Moldova is not a NATO member and has repeatedly warned of spillover and destabilization risks from the war. Attribution for drone events can require radar, wreckage, flight-path and intelligence evidence that was not included in the public statement.
He also did not release evidence publicly establishing Russian responsibility for that reported threat. Tusk said he received a briefing from CIA Director Jim Ratcliffe following Ratcliffe's recent visit to Moscow. Official warnings establish what a government assesses, not independent confirmation of every underlying claim. The reporting attributes institutional statements to the officials or organizations that made them and separates those statements from independently observed events.
The comments were made during a meeting involving central European countries and Ireland in Bratislava, Slovakia. The affected crossings connect Ukraine with neighboring states that carry passengers, commercial traffic and wartime support. Border disruptions can affect refugees, trade, humanitarian deliveries and military logistics simultaneously. The public record did not include evidence sufficient to independently verify the attribution or the nature of the threat near Poland.
Any release of radar, forensic or intelligence evidence about the incidents. Changes in border security measures by Poland, Moldova and Ukraine. The next dated releases, filings or operational changes will provide the clearest evidence of whether the situation has stabilized or materially changed.