WARSAW – Polish forces, working with NATO partners, shot down at least four Russian drones that crossed into Poland during a major Russian assault on Ukraine. This overnight event marks the first time since the 2022 invasion that NATO has acted directly against Russian military aircraft inside alliance airspace.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk labelled the drone intrusion a “large-scale provocation” and stated that Poland now faces a risk of military conflict not seen since the end of World War II.
The drones entered Poland while Russian forces were targeting western Ukraine. Some drones appeared to cross over from Belarus, a close ally of Russia. Polish authorities tracked 19 separate drone entries, with several venturing far into Polish territory. This caused the temporary closure of four airports, including Warsaw Chopin and Rzeszów-Jasionka airports.
Rzeszów-Jasionka is especially important for handling Western aid to Ukraine. Polish and NATO jets, including F-16s and F-35s from countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, responded, backed by Italian AWACS surveillance aircraft and NATO refuelling planes.
“This is the closest we have come to a wider conflict since World War II,” Tusk told parliament. He made clear that, while the danger is real, war is not imminent. Tusk called on NATO’s 32 member states to meet under Article 4, which starts emergency talks if a member faces a threat.
Drones Entered Poland by Accident
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sharply criticized Russia’s actions, calling them reckless. He praised the NATO response and expressed strong backing for both Poland and Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed Russian claims that the drones had entered Poland by accident, stating the incursion was intentional. Sikorski announced that 19 violations could not have happened by mistake and accused Moscow of challenging NATO’s readiness to respond.
He suggested Europe build a “drone wall” to counter increasing drone threats, and EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius agreed with this proposal. The Polish military found debris from seven drones and one missile, including wreckage discovered in central and southern Poland, revealing how far the drones had travelled.
The Kremlin insisted it did not order any strike on Poland. The Russian Defence Ministry said its drones, mostly Iranian-made Shahed models, targeted Ukrainian military sites and did not have the range to reach deep inside Poland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations and demanded proof that the drones were Russian.
Belarus, whose territory some drones crossed, said the action resulted from navigation problems caused by signal interference. However, NATO and Polish officials, along with military policy experts, believe the number and routes of the drones point to a planned attempt to provoke, possibly to test NATO’s air defences or disrupt supply chains near Rzeszów.
Putin Becoming Bolder
The incident has reignited fears over President Putin’s intentions. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha claimed Putin is becoming bolder, using the event to stretch Western patience. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said up to two dozen Russian drones may have crossed into Poland, calling for a NATO-wide air defence system to secure Eastern Europe. Zelenskyy called the drone attacks a dangerous new risk for Europe.
NATO reacted quickly but cautiously. The alliance’s top command in Europe confirmed that German-operated Patriot missile batteries were active in Poland, though they did not fire during the event. This was the first time NATO aircraft engaged hostile drones in allied airspace.
European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, criticized Russia’s actions. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Britain is looking at extra air defence support for Poland, including the possible deployment of Typhoon jets.
The timing is delicate for NATO, given recent tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump, who has called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, posted online his frustration over the border incident.
European leaders, cautious about how reliable US backing might be, saw the situation as a trial of Trump’s administration. Some analysts believe Putin is trying to exploit perceived divisions within the alliance, especially after a failed summit with Trump in Alaska last month.
Poland on High Alert
Poles are on high alert. Polish newspaper editor Michał Szułdrzyński said this could be only the start, connecting the drone incident to the soon-to-begin Zapad-2025 joint military drills by Russia and Belarus near the Polish border.
These exercises have already drawn concern across the region and prompted Poland to close its border with Belarus. The memory of a stray Ukrainian missile killing two Polish villagers in 2022 remains fresh, underlining how easily the conflict can spill over.
The global response has been united but cautious. Several European nations, including Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, France, and the UK, have called for the United Nations Security Council to discuss the incident. Czech officials offered helicopters to help Poland defend against low-flying drones.
Ukrainian leaders, including Zelenskyy, renewed calls for NATO to intercept Russian drones over Ukraine to stop them before they enter alliance airspace, though NATO has so far declined, cautious about escalating the conflict.
Investigations into the fallen drones are ongoing, and questions continue about Russia’s aims. Some defence experts, such as Edward Arnold from the Royal United Services Institute, argue that Putin is showing force amid slow-moving peace talks, while others see the incident as an attempt to unsettle a key NATO country.
Arnold noted that Putin wants to appear strong and probe NATO’s willingness to respond. The episode has highlighted the fragile state of Europe’s security and the pressure now facing NATO as Russia grows more aggressive.
For now, Poland and its allies are preparing for the possibility of more challenges. Prime Minister Tusk said Poland will protect every part of its territory, making clear the country’s determination. As NATO debates its options, many are watching closely, knowing the outcome could shift both the war in Ukraine and the balance on NATO’s eastern border.
