FCDO issues a travel warning for Poland as NATO fighter jets engage directly with Russia for the first time

The British Foreign Office has issued a travel warning to Brits travelling to Poland after NATO fighter jets engaged directly with Russia for the first time shooting down “suicide drones” over Polish airspace.

Polish airspace is being “repeatedly violated” and Polish Dutch US and Italian fighter jets were scrambled to shoot down more than 10 Russian drones.

All citizens across Poland were ordered to stay at home as the Russian drones entered into Poland at 7am on Wednesday morning.

The Foreign Office has updated their travel advice for Brits travelling to or who are already in Poland.

The Foreign Office stated, “Poland’s airports are open but there may be travel disruption.

“Follow official Polish Government announcements and updates from airlines.”

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They added, “Russian military strikes have taken place in Ukraine within 20 kilometres of the Polish border.

“Access to the border is restricted.”

The FCDO has issued a warning “before you travel,” warning, “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”

Polish Armed Forces‘ Operational Command said on X this was a clear “act of aggression that has created a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”

The Polish Prime Minister warned that the Europe is on the Brink of war, which will see the UK being drawn into the full-scale conflict should Article 5 be invoked.

Donald Tusk has motioned for Article 4 to be invoked, Article 4 is the first step which triggers large-scale responses by the alliance.

Article 4 states, “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”

NATO spokesman Allison Hart said they are “in close consultation” with Poland and another alliance source said that initial indications shows the drone incursion was a deliberate act, to which a US Senator has said this is an “act war.”

“I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before,” Tusk warned.

This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.

“The fact that these drones, which posed a security threat, were shot down changes the political situation,” the Polish Prime Minister added.

“Therefore, allied consultations took the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the Nato Treaty.”

The British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Russia is acting “extremely reckless” and said that the situation is “extremely concerning.”

Starmer said, “This morning’s barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and Nato airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning.

“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.

“I have been in touch with the Polish Prime Minister this morning to make clear our support for Poland, and that we will stand firm in our support for Ukraine.

“My sincere thanks go to the Nato and Polish forces who rapidly responded to protect the Alliance.

“With our partners – and through our leadership of the Coalition of the Willing – we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace.”