Polish intelligence services assess that Russia could launch missile and drone attacks against European nations that support Ukraine. Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament on Sept. 18 that strikes on NATO's eastern flank might be framed as accidental to undermine mutual security pacts for member states. Rzeszow and Lublin airports suspended operations this morning for the third time in three days during Russian air raids in western Ukraine.

Tusk stated that Russia shows no interest in serious negotiations before the end of winter and is targeting Ukrainian road and rail crossings to disrupt supplies. Monthly Ukrainian losses have reached 27,000 killed and wounded, which represents the highest casualty levels in the war. These operations align with a Russian strategy to utilize winter weather to collapse Ukrainian logistics and energy infrastructure.