Poland has confirmed it shot down multiple Russian drones that entered its airspace during a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine, calling the violation an “act of aggression.” The incident, which marks the first time a NATO member has used military force against Russian drones in the conflict, prompted Prime Minister Donald Tusk to convene an emergency meeting with military and security officials in Warsaw. Poland’s military said radars tracked more than ten objects, neutralizing those deemed a direct threat, while searches continue for potential crash sites.
The airspace breach triggered heightened security measures, with Warsaw’s Chopin Airport forced to close for several hours and the airport in Lublin remaining shut. Citizens in at-risk regions including Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin were urged to stay indoors. Poland’s military command thanked NATO air command and Dutch F-35 fighter jets for their assistance in handling the situation, underscoring the seriousness with which the alliance treated the incursion. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has been in close contact with Polish leaders, though the alliance has not yet issued a formal response.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had launched 415 drones and 40 missiles across Ukraine in the overnight assault, with at least eight drones aimed toward Poland. He warned the incident set “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe,” stressing that only a strong, united response by Ukraine’s partners—including NATO states and the United States—could prevent escalation. Russia’s defense ministry has not responded to the claims.
The United States reacted with caution but concern. Senator Dick Durbin warned that President Vladimir Putin was testing NATO’s resolve, while Congressman Joe Wilson described the drone incursions as an “act of war” against Poland. Calls have grown in Washington for stronger sanctions against Moscow, with President Donald Trump signaling he is prepared to move into a “second phase” of economic penalties after stalled peace talks. Meanwhile, the European Union has also discussed coordinating new sanctions with the U.S. as Moscow and its ally Belarus conduct large-scale “Zapad” military exercises near NATO’s eastern borders.
Poland has been on high alert since a stray Ukrainian missile struck a village in 2022, killing two people. The latest episode underscores the growing risks of spillover from Russia’s war in Ukraine into NATO territory, raising the stakes for both regional security and global diplomacy. With tensions mounting, Poland has also announced plans to close its border with Belarus this week as precautionary measures intensify across Eastern Europe.
