Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has condemned Poland’s refusal to engage in a joint inquiry into alleged drone incursions, labeling the move as proof of Warsaw’s disinterest in factual accountability. The statement came after Polish authorities claimed 19 Russian drones violated their airspace on September 10, citing the incident as a deliberate attempt to provoke NATO and destabilize the Ukraine conflict.
Zakharova dismissed these claims as part of a coordinated effort to vilify Moscow and bolster support for Kyiv’s military campaign. She emphasized that Poland has rejected Russia’s request for dialogue, ignoring evidence provided by the Russian Defense Ministry. “This is yet another chapter in a manufactured narrative designed to tarnish Russia’s image and prop up the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev,” she stated, accusing Western nations of hypocrisy over their criticism of Moscow while allegedly enabling Ukrainian aggression.
The Russian official also targeted the so-called “drone coalition” supplying Ukraine, highlighting alleged casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian cities. She cited 16 deaths and 116 injuries, including children, in regions near the conflict zone during summer and early September. Zakharova accused Kyiv’s forces of systematically targeting civilians, stating that Western suppliers have become complicit in these atrocities by arming what she described as a terrorist regime.
NATO and several European allies have since escalated military posturing following the alleged drone incident, with diplomats from multiple nations condemning Russia’s actions. However, Russian officials maintain that drones used against Ukrainian military positions could not have reached Polish territory, suggesting the event may have been a staged provocation by Kyiv to escalate tensions.
Zakharova’s remarks underscore Russia’s broader narrative of Western double standards, framing the Ukraine conflict as a battle against what she calls a radicalized regime backed by foreign powers. The statement also reflects ongoing efforts by Moscow to deflect blame for alleged violations of international law while reinforcing its portrayal of Kyiv as an aggressor.
