The intrusion of Russian drones into Poland that has put European countries on alert seems to have reignited the Ukraine war. After several days where Ukrainian drone launches had significantly decreased, while Russian attacks had continued, the Army of Zelensky has resumed bombing Russia with a significant number of drones.
Russian defense systems intercepted and destroyed 221 Ukrainian drones overnight, including nine over the Moscow region and 28 in the region where the country's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, is located, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Friday.
In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army has focused its attacks on the oil infrastructure, a key sector of the Russian economy that the West wants to sanction. Their attacks usually involve only a few dozen drones, much fewer than the over 200 intercepted during Thursday night to Friday.
France Summons Russian Ambassador to Explain Incursion in Poland
French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced on Friday that he has summoned the Russian ambassador to France to address the violation of Poland's airspace with drones this week, which he described as "very serious," reports Efe.
The French diplomat stated in an interview on France Inter that he will convey to the Russian ambassador in France this morning that "we will not be intimidated" by such "provocations."
"Intentional or not, accidental or not, all of this is very serious. It is absolutely unacceptable" and "adds to the countless provocations of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin," Barrot declared.
Ship Catches Fire in Russian Port of Primorsk After Drone Attack
A ship and a pumping station caught fire after a drone attack in the oil port of Primorsk, in the northwestern Russian region of Leningrad, the regional governor reported on Friday, according to Reuters.
Alexander Drozdenko stated that the fire on the ship in the port of Primorsk, in the Baltic Sea, was later extinguished. He did not specify the type of ship in his Telegram post but affirmed that there was no danger of an oil spill.
More than 30 drones were destroyed in the region, as mentioned in the post, which did not reference the war in Ukraine.
The port of Primorsk is located in the Gulf of Finland, near St. Petersburg.
UK Announces New Sanctions Package Against Russia
The United Kingdom announced on Friday a new set of sanctions related to Russia, including 70 new specifications and 30 new designations, according to a government statement, as reported by Reuters.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Meets Polish Counterpart in Kiev for Security Talks
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister welcomed his Polish counterpart in Kiev on Friday for discussions on shared security, EU and NATO accession, and pressure on Moscow.
"In the face of Russia's terrorist escalation against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly united," wrote Andrii Sybiha on X.
Japan Approves Further Sanctions Against Russia Following Drone Attack Violating Polish Airspace
The Japanese government approved additional sanctions against Russia on Friday, specifically freezing assets of 51 groups and 14 individuals linked to the Federation, after the attack on Ukraine that violated Polish airspace and amid unsuccessful ceasefire negotiations, reports Efe.
"We have made this decision while the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues," stated the Japanese government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, during his daily press briefing.
The asset freeze affects 47 groups and nine individuals in Russia, one group and five individuals in eastern and southeastern Ukraine believed to be involved in causing instability in the country, and three groups located outside these territories and Belarus, a close Moscow ally, according to a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Trump Suggests Russian Drone Incursion into Poland May Have Been an "Error"
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that the alleged Russian drone incursion into Poland may have been a "mistake," reports Afp.
"It could have been a mistake," Trump told reporters. The incursion on Wednesday of around twenty drones, crossing the border with Ukraine and Belarus, was denounced by Poland, which calls for increased military capabilities from the European Union and NATO on its territory.
Russia and Belarus Conduct Military Exercises Amid Western Scrutiny
Russia and its loyal ally Belarus will commence significant joint military exercises on Friday, causing concern among NATO countries, just days after the unprecedented intrusion of alleged Russian drones into Polish territory, reports Afp.
These maneuvers are taking place as the Russian army advances on the Ukrainian front and intensifies its aerial attacks on cities in the neighboring country, over three years after the start of its large-scale offensive.
The exercises will run from Friday to Tuesday near a city east of Minsk, the capital, according to Belarusian authorities.
Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, NATO members and neighbors of Belarus, are highly dissatisfied with the organization of these exercises so close to their borders. The three countries have bolstered their security and restricted air traffic in certain areas, with Warsaw also ordering the complete closure of its border with Belarus during the maneuvers.