Donald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said: “It's sort of running out and running out fast.“
Trump has given Putin several deadlines to take steps to end the three-year conflict, but so far has not imposed sanctions or other penalties on Moscow. The President met with his Russian counterpart for peace talks in Alaska last month which failed to produce an agreement.
His comments come after Poland‘s prime minister Donald Tusk on Friday rejected Trump’s claim that Russian drones breaching Polish airspace might have been "a mistake".
Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action on Wednesday after 19 objects intruded Polish airspace including drones entering from Belarus. There have been no injury reports and Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
Key Points
- Poland says Putin’s drone incursion ‘wasn’t a mistake’
- UK announces new sanctions package on Russia
- Prince Harry makes a surprise visit to Kyiv
- Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper to visit Kyiv as £142m aid boost announced
- Trump believes Russia's drone incursion in Poland could have been 'a mistake'
Kremlin: Negotiations with Ukraine paused, Europe to blame
16:30 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin said that there was a pause in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and accused European countries of hindering a process it said that Moscow remained open to.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have held three rounds of direct talks this year in Istanbul, most recently on July 23, which have yielded several agreements to return prisoners of war and the bodies of the dead. But the two sides remain far apart on what a possible peace deal might look like.
Russia accuses Kyiv of not recognising what it calls "the realities on the ground", while Ukraine says Moscow is feigning interest in talks while continuing to try to take more of its territory.
Efforts by US president Donald Trump to broker a deal have so far come to nothing.
Asked whether talks between Kyiv and Moscow were now deadlocked, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The channels of communication are in place and functioning. Our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate through these channels. But for now, it is probably more accurate to say that there is a pause."
Watch: Prince Harry makes surprise trip to Ukraine in support of soldiers
15:51 , Alex CroftEU's next sanctions package on Russia must be 'tough as possible' - Danish foreign minister
15:16 , Alex CroftThe European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia must be "as tough as possible", Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency will push for the adoption of a 19th round of sanctions during its term which ends in December, Mr Lokke said.
"It must be a full-fledged sanctions package, addressing circumvention, the shadow fleet, the financial sector... we also need stronger transatlantic cooperation," he told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Rasmussen said that Denmark would also welcome any initiative from the United States on sanctions.
He added that the Nordic country would encourage more Ukrainian defence companies to establish themselves in Denmark in order to start production there.
"We are actually in dialogue with quite a few Ukrainian companies," he said.
The Danish government earlier this month said that Ukrainian Fire Point, maker of Flamingo missiles, will start producing fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
Trump says he will 'come down strong' on Putin
14:45 , Daniel KeanePresident Trump has said he had long had a good relationship with Putin, but expressed frustration at his failure to end the war.
"We're going to have to come down very, very strong," he told Fox News.
Trump said sanctions on banks and oil were an option, along with tariffs, but European countries also needed to participate.
"But I've already done it. I've done a lot," Trump said, noting that India - one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil - was facing a 50% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus start military drills on Polish border
14:28 , Daniel KeaneRussia and Belarus have begun major joint military drills on Nato’s eastern borders, sparking fresh security concerns just days after Poland shot down Russian attack drones that entered its airspace.
The manoeuvres, known as the “Zapad 2025” drills, began on Friday and will last until Tuesday, taking place close to Nato members’ Poland, Lithuania and Latvia’s borders.
Russian officials said the exercises are “the final stage of this year’s joint training between the two countries’ armies” and said troops will practice actions “at firing ranges in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation and in the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea”.
Read our full story here.
Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus start military drills on Polish border
Trump says his patience with Putin is 'running out fast'
14:00 , Daniel KeaneDonald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said: “It's sort of running out and running out fast.“
Trump has given Putin several deadlines to take steps to end the three-year conflict, but so far has not imposed sanctions or other penalties on Moscow.
Denmark to buy $9billion of air defence systems in largest arms purchase ever
13:30 , Alex CroftDenmark plans to buy European-made air defence systems for 58 billion Danish crowns ($9.11 billion), its largest arms purchase ever, the country's defence minister said on Friday, citing a challenging security situation.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen in February ordered the military to "buy buy buy" equipment in preparation for potential future Russian aggression in Europe.
Denmark plans to procure eight systems, including the long-range SAMP/T platform produced by Eurosam, a consortium of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, as well as medium-range systems manufactured by Norway, Germany or France.
"There is no doubt that the security situation is challenged," defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters on Friday.
"We have seen how Russia has violated Polish airspace with several drones... It is a reminder to all of us about the importance of strengthening our combat power," he added.
Watch: Trump pledges ‘vicious’ response in tribute to murdered Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska
13:00 , Alex CroftWarsaw again refutes Trump's suggestion that Russian incursion was a mistake
12:30 , Alex CroftThere can be no mistake with such a large-scale attack on Poland, a Polish official said in response to US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that Wednesday’ Russian drone incursion might have been accidental.
"I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there's no question of a mistake - this was a deliberate Russian attack," deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk told local TV broadcaster Polsat News.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who visits Kyiv on Friday, also responded to Trump's words. "On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine. These were not mistakes," he said in a video posted on X.
At Poland's request, the UN Security Council will meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will begin at 3pm local time (8pm UK time), Polish foreign affairs ministry said.
Prince Harry visits Ukraine on surprise trip to offer help to soldiers injured in war
12:00 , Alex CroftPrince Harry has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to pledge his support for Ukrainian soldiers injured in the country’s war against Russia.
The Duke of Sussex was invited by the Ukrainian government as he said he aims to do “everything possible” to help the thousands of wounded military personnel, according to reports.
Alongside a team from his Invictus Games Foundation – which was founded by Harry in 2014 to enable injured veterans to take part in sporting events – the duke is set to outline new projects that will support the wounded in Kyiv in their rehabilitation. The initiatives are expected to later be rolled out across the country.
Prince Harry reports:
Prince Harry visits Ukraine on surprise trip to offer help to soldiers injured in war
Russia and Belarus begin major military exercise on Nato border
11:31 , Alex CroftRussian and Belarus began a major joint military exercise on Nato's doorstep on Friday that will involve drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland, with support from its Nato allies, shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The Zapad ("West") exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident, for which Russia denied responsibility.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
French Rafale fighters deployed to protect Poland
11:00 , Alex CroftFrance will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday on X.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
A French military official said the warplanes had already been deployed to Poland prior to Tuesday's incursions.
The twin-engined jet is designed for various purposes including in-depth and anti-ship strikes, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions.
France to summon Russian ambassador over Poland drone incursion
10:29 , Alex CroftOutgoing French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France will summon the Russian ambassador on Friday over this week's drone incursion into Poland's airspace, which he told France Inter radio was "not an accident".
France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after the drone incursions, French president Emmanuel Macron said late on Thursday.
Watch: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
10:01 , Alex CroftGerman parliament calls for Nato to down Russian drones over Ukraine
09:30 , Alex CroftThe defence committee of Germany’s parliament has said the Nato alliance must down Russian drones which could threat its territory even if they are still in Ukrainian airspace.
Thomas Röwekamp, the committee’s chair, said Nato is capable of countering the “very serious challenges” posed by Russia.
“The best way to counter drones during a war is to destroy their production facilities and launch systems", he said, adding that it is important "that Nato partners quickly equip Ukraine so that it can take measures against these targets on Russian soil”.
He added:"It should be possible, with the consent of the affected country, such as Ukraine, to down drones that threaten NATO territory, even when they are in their airspace."
Fresh UK sanctions to target ships carrying Russian oil
08:59 , Alex CroftWe earlier brought you the news that the UK has launched a new package of sanctions on Russia.
Here’s a little more detail on what the sanctions include.
- They will target ships carrying Russian oil as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to produce Russian weapons.
- 70 more ships transporting Russian oil and 30 companies and individuals supplying weapons kits are being targeted.
- Firms located in China and Turkey are among the sanctions.
- The package has been issued as a response to recent Russian aggression, referring to the higher number of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and the recent violation of Nato airspace in Poland.
- New foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital.”
New UK foreign secretary arrives in Ukraine
08:36 , Alex Croft
Prince Harry's second trip to Ukraine this year
07:58 , Alex CroftEarlier, we brought you the news that Prince Harry is making a surprise trip to Kyiv today on the invitation of the Ukrainian government.
The prince is arriving with a team from his Invictus Games Foundation to detail his charity's plans to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers, the Guardian newspaper reported.
It is the second visit Harry, the younger son of Britain's King Charles, has made to Ukraine this year, after he visited a centre for wounded military personnel in Lviv in April.
He was invited to the capital by the Ukrainian government, he said, and received permission from the British government and his wife before travelling.
The trip comes at the end of Harry's four-day visit to Britain from his home in California, where he met his father King Charles for the first time in 18 months.
Harry served for 10 years in the British Army before setting up the Invictus Games Foundation, a charity which runs an international sporting event for military personnel wounded in action.
Breaking: UK announces new sanctions package on Russia
07:46 , Alex CroftBritain announced a new package of Russia-related sanctions on Friday, including 70 new specifications and 30 new designations, a government statement said.
We’re working to bring you more on this.
Russia drone incursion into Poland 'unacceptable' - Orban
07:45 , Alex CroftRussia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace on Wednesday is unacceptable, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday.
Hungary has shown solidarity with Poland, a country that was its "historic ally", he said.
"Despite the current political skirmishes, the Poles are our friends," Mr Orban said. "So we had said about the incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory right away that it was unacceptable."
Mr Orban is one of a small number of outliers in Europe who typically hold a far softer stance towards Moscow.
Polish foreign minister visits Kyiv days after Russian drone incursion
07:29 , Alex CroftUkraine's foreign minister welcomed his Polish counterpart in Kyiv ahead of talks on shared security, EU and NATO accession and pressure on Moscow on Friday.
"Against the backdrop of Russia's escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together," Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
Welcome to Kyiv, Radek!
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) September 12, 2025
I was glad to meet @sikorskiradek and @anneapplebaum at the Kyiv train station this morning.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together.
We will hold substantial talks… pic.twitter.com/k5gRYqoeSN
Russia and Belarus start 'Zapad 2025' joint military exercise
07:14 , Arpan RaiRussian and Belarus kickstarted a major joint military exercise involving drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the drills, including near the Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
Nato Articles 4 and 5 explained after Russian drones shot down over Poland
07:06 , Arpan RaiPolish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday he had asked Nato to open consultations under Article 4.
It comes after Polish forces shot down 19 drones over its airspace, marking the first known instance of a Nato member firing shots in the ongoing conflict.
Tusk confirmed the action on Wednesday, describing it as a "large-scale provocation" by Russia and stating he had asked Nato to open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty.
The drones were intercepted during a significant Russian air attack on Ukraine.
Read more about Article 4 of Nato here:
NATO Articles 4 and 5 explained after Russian drones shot down over Poland
Prince Harry makes a surprise visit to Kyiv
06:59 , Arpan RaiPrince Harry is visiting Kyiv in a surprise trip today on invitation from the Ukrainian government.
The Duke of Sussex said he and his organisation wish to do “everything possible” to assist thousands of military personnel who have been injured in the Ukraine war.
“We cannot stop the war but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process,” he told The Guardian on an overnight train to Ukraine.
Harry said that he wants to “continue to humanise the people involved in this war and what they are going through”.
“We have to keep it in the forefront of people’s minds. I hope this trip will help to bring it home to people because it’s easy to become desensitised to what has been going on,” he said.
Prince Harry and his team from the Invictus Games Foundation are set to detail new initiatives to support the rehabilitation of the injured service personnel on their visit to Kyiv, following this with providing help to the other areas of Ukraine.
What are Gerbera drones? The devices that caused chaos in Poland’s airspace
06:34 , Arpan RaiPoland shot down suspected Russian drones in its airspace on Wednesday with the backing of aircraft from its Nato allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia's war in Ukraine.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk told parliament it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two," though he also said he had "no reason to believe we're on the brink of war."
The incursion was conducted at least in part with Gerbera drones, according to a Polish army official. It is a cheap long-range drone that Ukrainian intelligence says is assembled from kits supplied by Chinese manufacturer Skywalker Technology at Russia's Yelabuga facility.
What are Gerbera drones? The devices that caused chaos in Poland’s airspace
Zelensky holds 'constructive' meeting with Trump's envoy Kellogg in Kyiv
06:14 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky said he held a meeting with the US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in Kyiv yesterday.
The two discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and plans to achieve “real peace”, Zelensky said.
“The US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg @generalkellogg, is in Kyiv today. I am grateful for a constructive meeting. We discussed various vectors of cooperation – how to achieve real peace and guarantee Ukraine’s security,” he said on X.
The Ukrainian president said they discussed more sanctions against Russia during their meeting.
“We count on a positive response from the United States. We had a substantive discussion on stepping up pressure on the Russians and what we can do together with partners in tariff and sanctions policy to enable a meeting at the leaders’ level at the earliest and bring this war to an end,” he said.
The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg @generalkellogg, is in Kyiv today. I am grateful for a constructive meeting.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 11, 2025
We discussed various vectors of cooperation – how to achieve real peace and guarantee Ukraine’s security. These include projects… pic.twitter.com/60YNf83bxA
European leaders call Russian drone incursion in Poland a 'deliberate' act
05:53 , Arpan RaiEuropean leaders have expressed alarm over the Russian drone incursion into Poland.
Prime minister Keir Starmer spoke about the incursion with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.
Starmer's office said that it "was clear that Russia was continuing to ramp up its aggression, systematically stepping up its attacks through a campaign of increasingly belligerent actions."
The German government said it will "extend and expand air policing over Poland”.
Nato's supreme commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said the alliance wasn't certain about the number of drones that entered Polish territory, nor whether they were fired intentionally.
"But we will learn lessons. We will learn of things that we need to enhance our posture, to handle these limited incursions," Grynkewich said in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania published a joint statement calling the incursion "a deliberate and coordinated strike constituting an unprecedented provocation and escalation of tension."
Finnish president Alexsander Stubb, who met with president Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, said that now "the line between war and peace has been blurred" and that Wednesday's events were another milestone following Russia's illegal seizure of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
"We now live in an age of uncertainty," Stubb told a news conference with Zelensky.
Watch: Trump believes Russia's drone incursion in Poland could have been 'a mistake'
05:26 , Arpan RaiRussia says Ukrainian drones attacked training centre at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
05:25 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drones attacked a training centre at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant yesterday, the Moscow-installed administration of the Russia-held plant in Ukraine said.
There were no casualties and information on potential damage was being clarified, the plant administration said.
The plant's communications director, Yevgeniya Yashina, told the state news agency RIA that such attacks create "a direct risk of violating nuclear safety. The training centre is only 300 metres (1,000 feet) from the reactors and an attack on them could lead to irreparable consequences."
The plant's Russian administration reported a similar incident last Saturday. It said Ukrainian drones hit the roof of the training centre but caused no major damage and no increase in radiation levels.
France to deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace
04:56 , Arpan RaiFrance will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French president Emmanuel Macron said on X.
“In connection with the incursion of Russian drones into Poland, I have made the decision to mobilise three Rafale fighter jets to support the protection of Polish airspace and Europe's eastern flank together with our Nato allies,” Macron said.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
Suite aux incursions de drones russes en Pologne, j’ai décidé de mobiliser trois chasseurs Rafale pour contribuer à la protection de l’espace aérien polonais et du Flanc Est de l’Europe avec nos alliés de l’OTAN.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 11, 2025
Je m’y étais engagé hier auprès du Premier ministre polonais.…
Poland says Putin’s drone incursion ‘wasn’t a mistake’
04:36 , Arpan RaiPoland has rejected Donald Trump’s speculation that Russian drones breaching Polish airspace might have been "a mistake".
Talking to reporters yesterday, Trump said the incursion could have been unintentional while adding: “I’m not happy about anything to do with the whole situation.”
Poland’s foreign minister shot back at him on X, and wrote: “No, that wasn’t a mistake”.
The incursion into Poland, which came during unrelenting Russian strikes on neighbouring Ukraine, deepened longstanding fears that the three-year war between Poland's neighbours could precipitate a wider conflict.
US-led efforts to steer Moscow and Kyiv toward a peace settlement have so far failed to get traction.
Nie, to nie była pomyłka. https://t.co/PpVmHwoBc8
— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) September 11, 2025
NATO Articles 4 and 5 explained after Russian drones shot down over Poland
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNATO Articles 4 and 5 explained after Russian drones shot down over Poland
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper to visit Kyiv as £142m aid boost announced
03:58 , Arpan RaiForeign secretary Yvette Cooper is due to travel to Kyiv today in her first overseas visit since being appointed in the role.
The minister will be reaffirming Britain's commitment to Ukraine with a £142m ($192.75m) winter support aid boost.
Cooper is due to meet president Volodymyr Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials, to whom she will reaffirm Britain's commitment to Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression, the government said.
"Ukraine's security is crucial to the UK's security," Cooper said in a statement.
The extra funding package, part of a previously pledged aid programme launched in June, includes £100m in humanitarian assistance for frontline communities and £42m to repair and protect critical energy systems targeted by Russian strikes.
Her visit comes amid heightened tensions following an incursion of Russian drones into Nato airspace in Poland.
Ukrainian drones heading to Moscow downed, says mayor
03:49 , Arpan RaiRussian anti-aircraft units destroyed or downed nine Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow today, the capital's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said.
Sobyanin said specialist teams were examining fragments of the drones where they had hit the ground.
The governor of Leningrad region, which surrounds Russia's second largest city, St Petersburg, said anti-aircraft measures were in effect to counter drones.
The measures were in effect for 100km (60 miles) around Pulkovo, St. Petersburg's airport, he wrote on Telegram. He said the number of enemy drones at issue was being clarified.
Watch: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWatch: Trump pledges ‘vicious’ response in tribute to murdered Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerUkraine requests a new financing programme
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe International Monetary Fund spokesperson Julie Kozack said the IMF is committed to working with Ukrainian authorities to shape a new lending program after the war-torn country filed a formal request earlier this week.
Ukraine is spending about 60 per cent of its total budget to fund its battle against Russia's invasion.
The country relies heavily on financial support from its Western allies to cover the cost of pensions, public sector wages and humanitarian spending.
Ukraine has received about $10.6 billion under its existing $15.6 billion Extended Fund Facility program, but budget experts say its needs are far greater given the ongoing battle against Russia's invasion in February 2022 and continued damage to critical infrastructure.
UK to produce drones to help Ukraine fight off Russian aerial attacks
Friday 12 September 2025 00:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
UK to mass produce drones to help Ukraine fight off Russian aerial attacks
Trump believes Russia's drone incursion in Poland could have been 'a mistake'
Thursday 11 September 2025 23:13 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump on Thursday has said that Russia's drone incursion into Poland could have been a mistake.
"I’m not happy about anything to do with the whole situation, but hopefully that’s going to come to an end," Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One.
Trump subsequently added that he would condemn Russia “even for being near that line.”
“I don’t like it,” he continued. “I’m not happy about it.”
Russian drone in Polish airspace is 'an attempt to weaken NATO' says Polish Defence Minister
Thursday 11 September 2025 23:00 , Rebecca Whittaker"This Russian provocation, as the generals and our soldiers are well aware, was nothing more than an attempt to test our capabilities, our ability to respond," Polish President Karol Nawrocki told soldiers on Thursday.
It comes after Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action on Wednesday after 19 objects intruded Polish airspace including drones entering from Belarus, said Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. There have been no injury reports and Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told parliament on Thursday Poland's logistical support for Ukraine may have been a motivation for the incursions - most aid for Ukraine transits via Poland.
"This is an attempt to weaken NATO's and Poland's willingness to support Ukraine," he said.
WATCH: Russian Black Sea fleet ship damaged by Ukrainian strike
Thursday 11 September 2025 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePoland prepares for Zapad military exercises close to border
Thursday 11 September 2025 21:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePoland is bracing for joint military drills between Russia and Belarus that are set to take place close to its border from Friday.
The Zapad 2025 (West 2025) military exercises will aim to showcase the close links between Moscow and Minsk, as well as Russian military might amid its 3-year-old war in neighboring Ukraine.
Troops from both countries will simulate repelling an attack, including airstrikes and sabotage, according to official reports.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has previously announced his country would close its border with Belarus from midnight on Thursday.
Even before the drone incursion, Tusk said Tuesday the Zapad exercises constituted "very aggressive" military maneuvers "very close" to his country's border, accompanied by "provocations" by Russia and Belarus.
Sweden pledges another $7.5 billion military support for Ukraine
Thursday 11 September 2025 21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSweden is budgeting another 70 billion crowns ($7.47 billion) for military support to Ukraine over the coming two years, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Thursday, adding the country also stood ready to lend further support Poland if needed.
Much of the spending would be allocated through purchases managed by Sweden's defence material agency, for instance of additional Archer artillery systems, a type already being used by Ukrainian troops in the war with Russia.
Jonson told a press conference that, following a suspected Russian drone incursion in Poland on Wednesday, Sweden stood in solidarity with Poland and was ready to contribute military assets to the country if needed.
"We have immediately been in contact with Poland's defence minister where we have said we are willing to make available resources if Poland identifies an interest in this," Jonson said, adding any such support would be coordinated within NATO.
"We are in full solidarity with Poland," he said.
🇸🇪🇺🇦Today Sweden presented UA support package 20, worth $836 million. It contains among other things, 18 new Archer systems, an extension of Sweden's long-term military aid to Ukraine with $3.6 billion yearly 2026-2027, and $900 million in yearly civil funding 2026-2028. (1/6)
— Pål Jonson (@PlJonson) September 11, 2025
RECAP: Where in Poland were Russian drones shot down?
Thursday 11 September 2025 20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMany of today’s headlines from Ukraine have focused on the fallout after Poland shot down a number of Russian drones in its airspace on Wednesday.
The UN Security Council announced on Thursday it had been asked by Poland to convene an emergency meeting over the incident, which was described as "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two”.
But where were the drones shot down and how many were there?
Alex Croft has the details...
Trump envoy reportedly in Kyiv after Polish airspace violations
Thursday 11 September 2025 20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg reportedly visited Kyiv on Thursday after Russia encroached on Poland’s airspace.
EU to keep 2028 Russian gas exit after talks with US energy chief
Thursday 11 September 2025 19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe EU is sticking to its deadline to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by 2028, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Thursday.
After a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, he said they were “driving” to cut all Russian oil and gas imports, adding the “biggest filler of that hole has been energy exports from the United States”.
The EU is negotiating legal proposals to completely phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028, with a ban on short-term contracts kicking in from next year, but it also faces pressure from the United States to end Russian energy imports sooner.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the EU was considering a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuels as part of new sanctions against Moscow.
EU officials were in Washington earlier this week to discuss sanctions, but Jorgensen said that sanctions were not discussed during his meeting with Wright in Brussels on Thursday.
Jorgensen's focus was making sure EU countries and lawmakers approve the 2028 phase out as soon as possible, he said.
"This is a very, very ambitious plan," he said.
"If there are any other things that we can do, at the same time, that will also put pressure on Russia, I am of course very happy to do that," he said.
US President Donald Trump told European leaders last week to stop buying oil from Russia, a White House official said. But on Thursday, Jorgensen declined to comment on whether Wright had asked the EU to quit Russian gas and oil faster.
The EU's proposed phase out by 2028 is designed "to happen in a way that doesn't lead to increase in prices, and future supply problems", Jorgensen said - adding that this would require Europe to buy more US liquefied natural gas.
ICYMI: What we know about the Gerbera drones that caused chaos in Poland’s airspace
Thursday 11 September 2025 19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOn Wednesday morning, Poland shot down what it said was a “huge number” of Russian drones in its airspace.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two”.
But what were the drones, and why were they there?
Max Hunder explains below...
What we know about the Gerbera drones that caused chaos in Poland’s airspace
Analysis: Why Russian drones over Poland are so dangerous for the world
Thursday 11 September 2025 18:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAfter Russian drones were shot down in Polish airspace on Wednesday morning, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two”.
Any military engagement on its own land is obviously bad news for Poland. But the incident has wider consequences for the rest of the world, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
“The incursion into Polish airspace may be an accident, with the deep penetration of the drones possibly explained by a failure of their guidance systems,” he writes.
“But it is an accident that Russia clearly feels happy to risk, given the level of impunity for its actions.”
Why Russian drones over Poland are so dangerous for the world
WATCH: Zelensky says Russia's drone incursion was 'deliberate'
Thursday 11 September 2025 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCzech foreign minister summons Russian ambassador over drones in Poland
Thursday 11 September 2025 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCzech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Thursday he decided to summon the Russian ambassador after the incursion of drones into Polish airspace on Wednesday.
"Russian drones in Poland are a pure provocation by the Kremlin. Czechia stands firmly with Poland. We will defend Alliance territory," Lipavsky said on social media platform X.
Allied unity and faster weapons production 'only path to real peace talks', Ukraine's defence minister says
Thursday 11 September 2025 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine’s Defence Minister has said the only path to “real peace talks” with Putin is through unity with allies and faster weapons production.
In an interview with Sky News, Denys Shmyhal said Russia’s incursion into Poland’s airspace on Wednesday was a “probe of Nato” and a “distraction from war crimes in Ukraine”.
russia isn’t stopping its war on Ukraine - it’s gearing for a wider one. The drones over Poland were a probe of NATO and a diversion from russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. On @SkyNews I laid out why allied unity and faster weapons production are the only path to real peace talks.… pic.twitter.com/DjFChBlx58
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) September 11, 2025
Zelensky urges allies to rethink air defence after Poland drone intrusion
Thursday 11 September 2025 16:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePresident Zelensky urged Ukraine’'s allies on Thursday to rethink their own air defence capabilities after incursions into Polish airspace by drones that Warsaw said were Russian.
Speaking in Kyiv beside visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky said his country was "open and ready" to provide support for its allies' efforts.
Ukraine has fended off many airstrikes since Russia began its war, using an array of Ukrainian and foreign-supplied weapons ranging from old machine guns to advanced missiles.
Zelensky said countries such as Poland should explore similar multi-layered approaches as missile systems such as the US-made Patriot were too expensive to use against cheaper drones used by Russia.
"No one in the world has enough missiles to shoot down all different types of drones," Zelensky said.
He added that Ukraine, which is heavily dependent on Western long-range air defence systems but has developed a sophisticated domestic approach to repel Russian attacks, was in a position to provide guidance to its allies on such matters.
He said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had already agreed to send military representatives to Ukraine on the issue.
The Polish military representatives will undergo training on shooting down drones, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Pictured: Russian air strike on Donetsk hits residential buildings
Thursday 11 September 2025 15:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA Russian air strike hit residential buildings in Kostiantynivka, in the Donetsk region on Wednesday.
Ryanair warns of years-long impact on European travel from Russian drones
Thursday 11 September 2025 15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRyanair boss Michael O'Leary has warned that the Russian war in Ukraine would cause travel disruption for European airlines for years to come, a day after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones in its airspace.
Speaking at the company's annual general meeting, Mr O'Leary said it would be an “ongoing issue” for all airlines and European citizens for “years”.
But he added the risk was one of disruption rather than safety risks.
Several Polish airports were temporarily closed on Wednesday as the country shot down Russian drones, before flights resumed hours later. There were knock-on effects on air-traffic control, causing flight delays across Europe.
On Wednesday, just 60% of Ryanair's flights were on time, compared to a normal rate of around 90%, he said.
Mr O'Leary said safety was Ryanair's priority, adding that he was confident European authorities would act swiftly to shut airspace and protect aircraft. The problem for airlines and passengers would be regular closures creating headaches as flights are delayed and schedules disrupted.
"There's a huge increase in NATO air activity over southern and eastern Poland, that constrains the availability of airspace for commercial travel," he said.
The impact of the incident, which marked the first time a member of NATO is known to have fired shots during the war, was discussed at a meeting of the company's board of directors on Wednesday, Mr O'Leary added.
Shares in Ryanair were up 2.4% by 1248 GMT, recovering ground from Wednesday when the Polish incident sent most European travel stocks lower.
Italy says new sanctions might be needed against Russia
Thursday 11 September 2025 14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneItaly's foreign minister on Thursday told the upper house of parliament that new sanctions could be needed to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
"It is essential to intensify pressure on Putin to bring him to the negotiating table. We must do this by using all the tools at our disposal to hinder the financing of his war machine. This includes new sanctions," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
Previously, Moscow has said no amount of sanctions would make it change its stance in Ukraine.
The US must take part in Ukraine security setup, Finland's Orpo says
Thursday 11 September 2025 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe United States must take part in a security setup for Ukraine, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters on Thursday.
Trump envoy told Belarusian leader US wants to reopen its embassy in Minsk as 52 political prisoners released, Belta reports
Thursday 11 September 2025 13:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneJohn Coale, a representative of President Donald Trump, told Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday that the US wanted to reopen its embassy in Minsk and normalise ties between the two countries, the state Belta news agency reported.
The United States closed its embassy in Minsk in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin used Belarus as a launch pad to send tens of thousands of troops into neighbouring Ukraine.
Belarus on Thursday released 52 prisoners who were now on their way to Lithuania, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Vilnius said on Thursday, saying Coale had led a US delegation to Belarus.
WATCH: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
Thursday 11 September 2025 13:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian forces struck a Russian Black sea Fleet ship worth around $60 million, its defence intelligence agency said.
In a post on Telegram, they shared a video of the strike which targeted the ship’s navigation and communication equipment.
“As a result of the strike, the enemy ship's RER equipment was destroyed, and the ship was put out of action for expensive repairs,” they wrote.
“The armed struggle continues!”
Spain and Netherlands summon ambassadors over drone violation
Thursday 11 September 2025 12:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Spanish and Dutch governments have each summoned the Russian ambassador to their respective countries after Russia’s drone violation on Wednesday.
Spain's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian Charge d'Affaires in Madrid to express official condemnation of "unacceptable" violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones earlier this week, the ministry said.
Speaking to Dutch news agency ANP, the government said it had also summoned Russia's ambassador to the Netherlands.
Russia says Polish comments on drone violation 'nothing new'
Thursday 11 September 2025 12:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMoscow has dismissed Polish condemnation of its airspace violation on Wednesday as “nothing new”.
Declining to comment on the situation further, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “"There will be no new comment. Our Defence Ministry commented on this, and it offered consultations, if necessary," Peskov told reporters. "There is nothing to add.
"As for the rhetoric and statements that we hear from Warsaw, well, actually, there is nothing new there. This rhetoric has been characteristic of almost all European capitals lately. We see its continuation."
President of Finland visits Ukraine
Thursday 11 September 2025 11:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFinnish President Alexander Stubb is in Ukraine on Thursday to meet President Zelensky.
A video posted on X by the Ukrainian leader shows the pair paying tribute to Ukraine’s fallen soldiers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv.
Today, at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv, together with President of Finland @AlexStubb, we commemorated the Ukrainian defenders who gave their lives for Ukraine.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 11, 2025
With gratitude and respect, we honor the memory of every fallen warrior. Eternal and bright remembrance to all… pic.twitter.com/qccng4Q6a4
Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania join to condemn Russia over drone intrusion in Poland
Thursday 11 September 2025 11:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe leaders of Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania issued a joint statement condemning Russia’s intrusion into Poland’s airspace as an “unprecedented provocation and an escalation of tension”.
In the statement, they called for partners to “urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defence” and to “support Poland and Lithuania in their efforts to secure an eastern flank of Nato and the EU”.
"Only an adequate and strong response will prevent further escalation,” they added.
Polish PM pledges 'great modernisation programme' for military
Thursday 11 September 2025 10:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged a “great modernisation programme” for the country’s military a day after it shot down Russian drones in its airspace.
Addressing Polish troops at an air base in the central city of Lask, Mr Tusk said he would “do everything” to ensure military equipment promised by allies, including the US, are delivered.
"We will do everything to ensure that our allied obligations, which are so important from our point of view today, are fulfilled by our allies," Mr Tusk said.
"We hope that the Americans will meet the deadlines. We would like the first batch of the F-35s to reach you in May, and so that we can speak of our air power with increasing confidence from month to month, and from year to year. And that Poland is truly safe from the sky."
UN meeting will 'draw world's attention' to airspace violation, Poland's foreign minister says
Thursday 11 September 2025 10:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePoland’s foreign minister has told local radio the country is “drawing the world’s attention” to the “unprecedented” violation of Polish airspace by calling for a UN Security Council meeting.
"(We are) drawing the world’s attention to this unprecedented Russian drone attack on a member of the UN, EU, and NATO," Radoslaw Sikorski said.
"I have appeared before the UN (Security) Council in the past, and it seems to me that our arguments have been convincing.”
Poland restricts air traffic along eastern border until December
Thursday 11 September 2025 09:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePoland introduced restrictions to air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine, the Armed Forces' Operational Command said on Thursday, amid increased tensions a day after multiple drone incursions into the NATO member's airspace.
"At the request of the Operational Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces ... air traffic restrictions will be introduced in the eastern part of Poland in the form of the restricted zone EP R129", Polish Air Navigation Agency said in a statement published late on Wednesday.
The restrictions came into force at 2200 GMT on Wednesday and apply until December 9, it said.
From sunrise to sunset flights in the restricted zone are banned, apart from manned aircraft operating in accordance with a flight plan with appropriate transponders and maintaining two-way communication with air authorities, the agency said.
The restrictions also make exception for military flights and some additional special-purpose flights and call signs.
"From sunset to sunrise there is a total ban on flights, with the exception of military aircraft... In the EP R129 zone, there is a 24-hour flight ban on civilian unmanned aircraft, the agency said.
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its drones had carried out a major attack on military facilities in western Ukraine, but it had not planned to hit any targets in Poland.
Baltic parliaments ask US congress to uphold military support
Thursday 11 September 2025 09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEstonian, Latvian and Lithuanian legislators said on Thursday they have asked the US Congress to reconsider planned military support cuts under the Baltic Security Initiative programme.
The White House confirmed earlier this week it would look to slash the $220 million programme, which provides defence funding to the countries.
But lawmakers in the US have blasted the move, accusing Trump of “turning his back on our longstanding NATO allies” and “stripping them of the resources needed to counter increasing Russian aggression”.
In a joint letter on Thursday, the three parliaments wrote: "We kindly ask you to support the funding of the Baltic Security Initiative in the fiscal year 2026 Defence Appropriations Bill and its authorisation in the National Defence Appropriation Act.”
Couple whose house destroyed after Russian drones shot down 'wondered if they were being bombed'
Thursday 11 September 2025 08:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA couple whose house was destroyed after Russian drones were shot down in Polish airspace on Wednesday have said they were scared they were “being bombed” when the incident happened.
Tomasz and Alicja Wesolowski said they ran outside and saw a plane overhead after their house was struck.
"I turned on the TV, and all the news was about this massive drone flight, and after a while, I heard a plane flying over... and suddenly something boomed, the light fell from the ceiling in the downstairs living room," Mr Wesolowski told Reuters in the eastern Polish village of Wyryki-Wola.
"I ran out into the yard, and I saw the whole roof in shreds, everything was destroyed."
UN Security Council to meet over Russia's violation of Polish airspace, Foreign Ministry says
Thursday 11 September 2025 08:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAt Poland's request, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address Russia's violation of Polish airspace, the Polish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
It comes after Poland shot down a number of Russian drones flying over its airspace on Wednesday.
UK to mass produce drones to help Ukraine fight off Russian aerial attacks
Thursday 11 September 2025 07:59 , Alex CroftThe UK will mass produce cutting-edge interceptor drones to help Ukraine fight off Russian aerial attacks.
The drones, designed by Ukraine with support from UK scientists and technicians, are highly effective in destroying the one-way attack aircraft Moscow continues to launch at Ukrainian cities, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
It comes after Russian drones violating Polish airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine were shot down by Poland and Nato.
Defence Secretary John Healey will detail the project, the first under a technology-sharing deal with Kyiv, at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade show in London on Thursday.
Read more:
UK to mass produce drones to help Ukraine fight off Russian aerial attacks
Russian drone incursion revealed Nato vulnerability - Merz
Thursday 11 September 2025 07:40 , Alex CroftAfter Russia’s incursion into Poland with several drones, Nato’s air defences did not work “as well as it should have”, German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said.
The incursion overnight on Wednesday was a deliberate provocation on Wednesday, he said - the latest in a series of provocations recorded in the last months.
"First of all, I would like to note that European air defence, Nato air defence, worked, but of course not as well as it should have in order to prevent such a large number of drones from entering Polish airspace early enough," Mr Merz said.
"We are and will remain determined to significantly increase the defence readiness and defence capabilities of the European part of Nato," he added.
