Poland confirmed on Wednesday that its armed forces shot down Russian drones inside its airspace, marking the first such incident since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022. The move has heightened international fears of escalation between Moscow and NATO.
Polish military officials described the drones’ entry during a Russian strike on Ukraine as an “attack” that endangered civilians, making their destruction necessary.
“This is an act of aggression, posing a real threat to the security of our citizens,” the Polish operational command stated on X.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the Polish military responded with weapons against unmanned aerial vehicles as part of ongoing operations to counter repeated violations. He noted he remains in constant contact with the president and top military leadership.
Russian Drone Barrage on Ukraine
At the same time, Ukraine reported a large-scale Russian drone assault targeting Kyiv and multiple regions across the country. The Ukrainian air force warned that some drones crossed into Polish airspace, threatening the southeastern city of Zamość.
In response, Poland’s general staff said Polish and allied fighter jets were scrambled urgently to protect its skies. Ukraine cautioned that missile launches from Russian strategic bombers and Black Sea warships could follow.
U.S. Lawmakers Call It “Act of War”
In Washington, Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat, said the drone incursions showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “testing our resolve to defend Poland and the Baltic states.”
“After the massacre he continues in Ukraine, these invasions cannot be ignored,” Durbin wrote on X.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also accused Russia of attacking NATO ally Poland, calling it an “act of war.” He urged U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions to bankrupt Russia’s “war machine.”
“Putin is no longer content to lose in Ukraine while bombing mothers and infants. Now he is directly testing our resolve on NATO soil,” Wilson added.
Poland on High Alert
Poland has remained on elevated alert for airspace violations since 2022, when a stray Ukrainian missile struck a village in southern Poland, killing two people. However, until now, no Russian drones had been destroyed by Polish or allied defense systems.
Warsaw temporarily closed four airports, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, in the wake of the incident. Earlier, authorities also announced the closure of the Belarus border from midnight Thursday, citing Russian-led military drills taking place there.
The large-scale joint Russia–Belarus exercises, known as Zapad (“West”), have raised alarm in NATO neighbors Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Lithuania said it is reinforcing defenses along its borders with Belarus and Russia in response.
