Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones After Unprecedented Airspace Violation
Poland confirmed on Wednesday that it had shot down Russian drones which crossed its border during Moscow’s overnight assault on Ukraine. It is the first such incident of direct defensive action against aerial targets inside Polish territory.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Polish officials.
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that multiple drones entered Polish airspace from the direction of western Ukraine.
“As a result of today’s Russian attack on Ukraine, there was an unprecedented violation of Poland’s airspace by drone-type objects. This is an act of aggression that created a real threat to the safety of our citizens. By order of the Chief of the General Staff, defense procedures were immediately activated,” the statement read.
Polish forces said some of the drones were successfully shot down, with operations underway to locate the wreckage.
Citizens in Podlaskie, Masovian and Lublin voivodeships, the regions most at risk, were urged to remain indoors. Four airports, including Warsaw, were temporarily closed due to “unplanned military activity.”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the military had used weapons against the intruding drones and confirmed he was in constant contact with President Karol Nawrocki and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“An operation is ongoing in response to multiple violations of Poland’s airspace. I received a direct report from the operational commander and remain in permanent contact with the president and the defense minister,” Tusk stated.
President Nawrocki added that he had participated in military briefings through the night and would convene a meeting at the National Security Bureau with the prime minister. “The security of our Homeland is the main priority and requires close cooperation,” he said.
Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that both Polish aviation and ground units had been deployed. “All services are on alert. Aviation used weapons against hostile objects. We are in constant contact with NATO command,” he said, urging citizens to stay calm and report any drone debris to the police without approaching it.
Poland has long scrambled its aircraft in response to Russia’s mass attacks on Ukraine, but this marks the first time that Russian drones have crossed en masse into Polish airspace and been classified as hostile targets.
The army labeled the incident an “act of aggression,” while lawmakers across NATO countries, including U.S. congressmen, described the drone incursions as a potential act of war.
Read more on The Gaze: Russian Threats to NATO and Europe in 2025