Poland demands explanation from Ukraine over drone that exploded in Lithuania

Tusk calls for full cooperation; Kyiv and Vilnius blame Russian jamming

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Poland will demand an explanation from Ukraine over a drone that allegedly crossed Polish airspace before exploding in Lithuania, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Oct. 20, an incident that has again put the spillover of Russia's war against Ukraine at the centre of NATO's eastern security concerns.

Lithuania said the drone entered its airspace from the Polish side before exploding on Oct. 18, damaging a moving car. No injuries were reported.

Ukraine apologised for the incident and described it as another possible case of Russian jamming diverting Ukrainian drones from their intended targets in Russia. Vilnius echoed that explanation, saying the drone was likely part of a Ukrainian attack against St. Petersburg but was diverted by Russian electronic warfare.

Polish authorities, however, said they have been unable to confirm whether the drone entered Polish airspace before flying into Lithuania.

"We will investigate all circumstances. I count on the full cooperation of the Ukrainian side so that we can precisely explain what happened," Tusk said at a government meeting, as reported by RMF24. "Without emotion, without ill intentions."

Tusk said he would discuss the incident with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, whom he is hosting in Warsaw. "We will cooperate very closely with Lithuania and will certainly clarify this drone incident," he said.

Stressing Warsaw's position, Tusk added: "I want to make it absolutely clear that Poland does not allow operations to be conducted on or over our territory without the explicit consent of the Polish state. That will not change, no matter who might be conducting those operations."

Kyiv has previously refuted that it uses NATO airspace for attacks against Russian targets.

Poland and the Baltic countries are among the NATO members most affected by drone incursions spilling over from Russia's war against Ukraine. Both Poland and Lithuania border Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow's key ally, Belarus. Stray Ukrainian drones diverted by Russian jamming, as well as Russian drones and missiles launched against targets in Ukraine, have repeatedly entered NATO airspace, prompting local governments to ramp up security measures.

Poland has backed Ukraine throughout the full-scale war, though ties were strained earlier this year after Kyiv named one of its military units after the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army. After a period of tension, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 18 that "our relations with Poland have indeed improved."

Analysis

Why This Matters

Drone incursions spilling over from the Russia-Ukraine war are repeatedly testing NATO's eastern flank, where Poland and the Baltics border Kaliningrad and Belarus.
The incident puts new strain on a key wartime relationship, even as Warsaw and Kyiv have recently signalled a thaw.
It exposes how Russian electronic warfare can redirect Ukrainian drones, raising operational and political questions for Kyiv's strikes inside Russia.

Background

Poland and the Baltic states sit on the front line of the war's fallout, with Russian missiles and drones, as well as stray Ukrainian munitions, periodically entering NATO airspace. Poland has been one of Ukraine's strongest backers through the full-scale war, but bilateral ties are sensitive and have been tested before, including over historical and military naming disputes.

Key Perspectives

Poland: Treats any unauthorised incursion over its territory as unacceptable. Tusk wants a full explanation, close cooperation with Ukraine, and insists no foreign operations may take place over Poland without Warsaw's explicit consent. Ukraine: Apologised for the incident and attributes the drone's diversion to Russian jamming. Kyiv maintains it does not use NATO airspace to strike Russian targets. Lithuania: Supports Kyiv's account, describing the drone as likely part of an attack on St. Petersburg that was diverted by Russian electronic warfare, while still seeking clarification alongside Poland.

What to Watch

The outcome of Tusk's talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Warsaw on Oct. 20.
Whether Poland's own investigation confirms the drone crossed its airspace before reaching Lithuania.
Any further drone or missile incidents along NATO's eastern flank that could raise tensions further.

Sources

Poland to demand explanation from Ukraine over drone incident in Lithuania · Kyiv Independent

Checked

8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 5 supported.

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SupportedTusk said, “We will investigate all circumstances. I count on the full cooperation of the Ukrainian side so that we can precisely explain what happened,” followed by “Without emotion, without ill intentions.”Kyiv Independent: ““We will investigate all circumstances. I count on the full cooperation of the Ukrainian side so that we can precisely explain what happened,” Tusk said at a government meeting, as reported by RMF24 . “Without emotion, without ill intentions.””
SupportedTusk said, “We will cooperate very closely with Lithuania and will certainly clarify this drone incident.”Kyiv Independent: ““We will cooperate very closely with Lithuania and will certainly clarify this drone incident,” Tusk noted.”
SupportedTusk said Poland does not allow operations over its territory without the Polish state's explicit consent, and that this will not change.Kyiv Independent: ““I want to make it absolutely clear that Poland does not allow operations to be conducted on or over our territory without the explicit consent of the Polish state,” Tusk said. “That will not change, no matter who might be conducting those operations.””
SupportedZelensky said, “our relations with Poland have indeed improved.”Kyiv Independent: “After a period of tensions, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 18 that “our relations with Poland have indeed improved.””
Partly supportedPoland demands an explanation from Ukraine over the drone.Kyiv Independent: “Poland will seek an explanation from Ukraine on a drone that allegedly entered Polish territory over the weekend before exploding in Lithuania, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Oct. 20.”
SupportedTusk calls for full cooperation from Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: ““We will investigate all circumstances. I count on the full cooperation of the Ukrainian side so that we can precisely explain what happened,” Tusk said at a government meeting, as reported by RMF24 .”
Partly supportedKyiv and Vilnius blame Russian jamming for diverting the drone.Kyiv Independent: “Ukraine offered its apology and explained the incident as another possible case of Russian jamming diverting Ukrainian drones from their intended targets in Russia. ... Vilnius has echoed Kyiv's explanation, saying that the drone was likely part of a Ukrainian attack against St. Petersburg but was diverted by Russian electronic warfare.”
Not in the sourcesThe incident has again put the spillover of Russia's war against Ukraine at the centre of NATO's eastern security concerns.