—UPDATE: The Football Federation of Kosova has submitted a protest against the "unacceptable" actions of the Spanish Football Federation.

In official communications for the Euro 2027 U21 qualifier Kosova U21 – Spain U21, Spain referred to Kosova as “the territory of Kosovo,” violating UEFA and FIFA rules and principles.

🔗 Kosovan Football

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—❗️🇷🇺/🇵🇱 BRIEFING: NATO convenes Article 4 after Russian drone intrusions into Polish airspace.

Poland has declared a national security emergency after multiple Russian drones entered its airspace during overnight strikes on Ukraine, prompting the closure of Warsaw Chopin and Lublin airports and the activation of NATO’s Article 4 at Warsaw’s request.

The Polish Civil Aviation Authority issued successive Notices-to-Airmen (NOTAMs) citing “unplanned military activity,” while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the events as a “large-scale provocation.” Although he confirmed there were no casualties, residents of Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie Voivodeships were ordered to shelter-in-place as Polish and NATO aircraft scrambled to intercept hostile UAVs. Fighter jets from Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and Poland were deployed, supported by AWACS surveillance and refueling aircraft.

Tusk announced that missile debris was discovered on Polish soil, and Polsat News reported that the government is weighing further NATO consultations. The Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Warsaw, while French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violations as “unacceptable” and pledged full solidarity. Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius insisted Russia “deliberately directed” drones armed with ammunition toward Poland, rejecting any claim of navigational error.

Moscow denied targeting Poland, stating its drones lacked the range to reach Polish territory and accusing Warsaw of spreading “myths” to escalate the crisis. The Russian Defense Ministry offered direct consultations with Polish counterparts, a position echoed by the Foreign Ministry. Belarus, meanwhile, demanded recognition for having warned Warsaw of approaching drones and allegedly shooting some down. Lithuania urged de-escalation, suggesting there is no evidence of intent, while German and French officials emphasized the opposite.

Romania confirmed that two F-16s scrambled to patrol its border with Ukraine during the wave of drone strikes but reported no airspace violations. Moldova denied that its territory was used as a transit route, despite Ukrainian claims that Russia often exploits its undefended skies.

As tensions escalated, US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio were briefed, and Republican Congressman Joe Wilson labeled the incident “an act of war” against NATO. Former President Donald Trump reacted tersely: “Here we go!” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged no conclusive evidence of intent has been presented but confirmed the alliance has begun consultations under Article 4.

Poland stressed that its air defenses remain on high alert and that “weapons have been deployed” against incoming threats.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇴 NEW: Romania’s president Nicușor Dan and defense minister Ionuț Moșteanu both strongly condemned the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, calling it an “unacceptable violation of a NATO ally’s sovereignty and a dangerous escalation.”

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇧🇬 NEW: The Bulgarian government expressed full solidarity with Poland, declaring that “Russia’s repeated violations of NATO airspace pose a threat to Euro-Atlantic security.”

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸 (🇧🇦) / 🇷🇺 UPDATE: Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik met in Moscow with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.

Dodik expressed gratitude for Russia’s support and said the Russian side is interested in stabilizing Serbian society in Republika Srpska and Serbia, while lamenting that “the West rarely listens to us.”

🔗 Milorad Dodik on X

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸 (🇧🇦) / 🇷🇺 UPDATE: Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, held talks in Moscow with Yuri Ushakov, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸/🇺🇸 NEW: Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić met with Alexander Titolo, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Belgrade.

Đurić said Serbia is ready to deepen political and economic ties with the United States to bring tangible benefits for both countries.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—❗️🇷🇸 ❌ 🇸🇮 URGENT: The Republic of Srpska has imposed a reciprocal entry ban on Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, following Slovenia's decision to bar President Milorad Dodik from entering the country.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🗣️ "Slovenia, Croatia & Albania share a bond rooted in centuries of shared struggles, trade, and cultural ties — a brotherhood forged through empires, wars, and the dream of independence, showing how history unites nations beyond borders."

🔗 Based Slovenia

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇺🇸❤️🫂🇷🇸 WATCH: Charlie Kirk shares his bond with the Serbs!

"I grew up around Serbs, played basketball on an all-Serbian team."

🔗 Mario ZNA

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English