Poland’s military reported an “unprecedented violation” of its airspace on Wednesday, after a number of Russian drones were shot down during early-morning incursions. The country deployed both national and NATO air defenses to intercept the drones amid a wider Russian attack on western Ukraine.
Polish and NATO response
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed he was in constant contact with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and allied nations following the airspace breach, describing the incident as involving a “huge number” of Russian drones. A NATO spokesperson stated that the drones were met with coordinated Polish and NATO air defense systems. This marks the first time Poland has engaged aerial assets in its airspace since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Some Polish airports, including Warsaw Chopin, were temporarily closed due to military activity but have since reopened.
Ukraine reacts
Ukrainian officials framed the drone incursion as part of a broader escalation by Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Moscow is “testing the West” and called for urgent reinforcement of Ukraine’s air defenses and ramped-up sanctions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that around eight Russian drones were involved, calling the development “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”
Kremlin and Russian response
The Kremlin declined to comment directly on the drone incursion, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing NATO and EU accusations as routine, while Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash labeled the claims “groundless,” asserting Russia has no interest in escalation with Poland.
European Union and transatlantic response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the breach as “reckless and unprecedented,” affirming Europe’s full solidarity with Poland. She called for increased pressure and sanctions on Russia, noting the EU is preparing its 19th coordinated sanctions package. Von der Leyen also emphasized plans to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels and to monitor the Kremlin’s shadow fleet and third-country activities, alongside further support for Ukraine.
Several European leaders voiced support for Warsaw. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incursion as “simply unacceptable,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed solidarity. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also denounced the violation of Poland’s territorial integrity, emphasizing support for US-led efforts to achieve peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
