Russia’s plans may include strikes against Ukraine’s allies, Poland says

Warsaw also says it has scrambled military planes in response to a Russian attack in western Ukraine, close to its border.Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says that intelligence information suggests Russia plans to launch drone and missile attacks against countries supporting Ukraine.Warsaw’s leader outlined the assessment during an address to parliament on Thursday, saying that the attacks will be meant to weaken NATO’s ability to act collectively in response.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Ukraine drone strikes kill four as Russia attacks close to Poland borderlist 2 of 4Poland, Ukraine accuse Russia of ‘escalation’ after strikes near borderlist 3 of 4NATO pledges more Ukraine support after Russia strikes near Polandlist 4 of 4NATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuaniaend of list“According to intelligence assessments, Russia’s plan … includes hybrid drone and missile strikes against countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland,” Tusk said.European countries suspect Moscow of being behind a series of acts of sabotage in recent months to put pressure on the allies, especially Germany, helping Kyiv in its bid to resist Russia’s full-scale invasion – something the Kremlin has vigorously denied.“These potential strikes would be quote-unquote ‘accidental’ in nature, intended to paralyse or at least weaken the resolve of NATO states to invoke the relevant NATO provisions in the event of aggression against a member country,” Tusk added.He did not elaborate on which intelligence agencies had provided the warning.He also said such attacks by Russia could coincide with “political changes in certain European countries granting power – or at least a powerful voice – to those who, increasingly invoking noble slogans of peace, pacifism and needless casualties, will call for peace – or rather, the total capitulation of Ukraine”.Tusk appeared to be referring to the advance of more Russia-friendly parties such as Germany" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="3089" data-entity-type="organization">Alternative for Germany (AfD) and National Rally in France.Air raid near border with PolandEarlier on Thursday, Poland said it had scrambled military planes in response to a Russian attack in western Ukraine, close to the Polish border.