OTTAWA - Canada has summoned Russia's ambassador, Oleg Stepanov, following the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed that Global Affairs Canada issued an official reprimand to Stepanov on Wednesday.

The incident occurred earlier this week when multiple Russian drones entered Polish territory. Poland's military, supported by NATO allies, shot down several of these drones. This marked the first known instance of a NATO member firing upon Russian assets since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Anand stated, "When Russian drones violated Polish airspace, they violated NATO's airspace as well." She emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that Poland had reported 19 separate intrusions into its airspace. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as the closest the country has been to open conflict since World War II.

Poland has recovered debris from the drones in various regions and has invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows member states to request consultations when their security is threatened. Tusk has rejected claims from Russia and Belarus that the incursions were accidental, asserting, "We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn't. And we know it."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte characterized the drone incursions as reckless, regardless of the intent behind them. In response, NATO is enhancing its defensive posture along its eastern flank, which borders Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. A new operation, named Eastern Sentry, will deploy additional equipment from member countries, including France, Denmark, Germany, and the U.K.

Anand expressed Canada's support for the bolstered defenses, stating that the country is prepared to assist in strengthening NATO's eastern flank. The United Nations Security Council convened to discuss the drone incursions, while Canada hosted a virtual meeting of G7 finance ministers to explore further economic measures against Russia.

The G7, which includes Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, aims to enhance sanctions and economic pressure on Russia. The ministers discussed potential new sanctions, although specific details were not disclosed. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the need for allies to maintain maximum pressure on Moscow in light of threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin.