Poland shot down multiple Russian drones that violated its airspace during a large-scale Russian attack on western Ukraine overnight, making this the first time a NATO member has fired shots in the ongoing war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the incursion “an act of aggression”, reiterating that the drones posed a direct threat to Polish citizens. The unprecedented action has heightened tensions and prompted calls for a unified response from NATO allies.
Poland’s military command reported that its radars tracked over 10 Russian drones crossing into Polish airspace from Ukraine’s border regions of Volyn and Lviv. Those deemed a threat were “neutralised” with assistance from NATO air command and Dutch F-35 fighters. “Searches for potential crash sites are ongoing,” the command stated, urging residents in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions to stay indoors due to safety risks. Warsaw’s Chopin airport briefly closed, and Lublin’s airport remains shut, causing widespread flight disruptions.
Republican US Representative Joe Wilson said, “Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland with Iranian Shahed drones less than a week after President Trump hosted President Nawrocki at the White House. This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked aggression against free and productive nations.”
Zelensky calls Russian drones over Poland “dangerous precedent”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the incident as “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe,” noting that Russia deployed 415 drones and 40 missiles in attacks across 15 Ukrainian regions overnight, with at least eight drones “aimed toward Poland.” He urged a “strong, joint response” from Ukraine, Poland, Europe, and the United States, warning that Russia’s escalation demands consequences. One person was killed in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, and three were injured in Volochysk.
NATO chief Mark Rutte is in close consultation with Polish leadership, though the alliance has not yet issued an official statement. Baltic and Nordic NATO members expressed solidarity, with Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calling the violation “unacceptable” and Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs advocating for “appropriate measures”. Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide labelled the incident “deeply concerning”, reaffirming support for Poland.
Poland’s Territorial Defence Force shortened its soldiers’ reporting time to six hours in four eastern provinces, saying the airspace violation and ongoing ground searches. The incident shows Poland’s heightened alertness, with increased military spending and civilian safety drills reflecting fears of Russian aggression spilling over from Ukraine.
Russia’s Defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed claims of Russian intent to attack NATO as “nonsense”. However, this incident, following prior drone incursions into Poland and Romania, raises concerns about escalation risks between Russia and the West.
