UK Armed Forces are looking “at options to bolster NATO’s air defence over Poland" following Russia’s drone attacks, the Defence Secretary has said.
John Healey accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "testing" Western allies after a number of drones strayed into the eastern European country’s airspace during a widespread attack in western Ukraine.
"We will stand firm" with Western allies, Mr Healey vowed.
NATO jets shot down the drones in what was the first defensive action of its kind since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Speaking after talks in London with defence officials from Poland, Italy, France and Germany, Mr Healey said: "Together we, the E5, totally condemn these attacks.
"Russia's actions are reckless, they're dangerous, they're unprecedented.
"We see what Putin is doing. Yet again he is testing us. Yet again we will stand firm."
He added: "Following our discussions today, I've asked our UK Armed Forces to look at options to bolster Nato's air defence over Poland."
Secretary General Mark Rutte said that NATO is "vigilant" and will defend "every inch" of its territory, in a message to Putin.
It came three days after Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began, an assault that hit a key government building in Kyiv for the first time.
Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz had been due to attend the meeting of E5 defence ministers at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, but flew home early on Wednesday morning to deal with the attack, Mr Healey said.
Polish airspace was violated by multiple Russian drones and those that posed a direct threat were shot down, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said around two dozen Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace during the night and that his military was working to verify this.
Mr Kamysz had suggested it was more than 10 but did not specify an exact number.
Dutch F-35 fighter jets stationed in Poland under NATO provided support to the Polish air force overnight.
Prime Minister Sir Keir said he had been in touch with Mr Tusk to make clear the UK's support for Poland and Ukraine, and thanked NATO and Polish forces for their rapid response.
"This morning's barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning," Sir Keir said on Wednesday morning.
"This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin's blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day."
Sir Keir said the UK and partners will continue to "ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace".
During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said support for Ukraine is "unwavering".
"The attack last night in Poland shows Putin's belief that he can somehow act with impunity," he said.
He said there has been "real progress" by his so-called coalition of the willing in recent weeks to ensure security guarantees in a potential Ukraine deal.
