Poland fired multiple Russian drones overnight that violated airspace during a massive Russian attack on western Ukraine, the first time NATO members fired in an ongoing war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tass called the intrusion a “act of attack” and repeatedly reiterated the drones pose a direct threat to Polish citizens. Unprecedented action raised tensions and called for a unified response from NATO allies.
Polish military commanders reported that its radar will track more than 10 Russian drones and cross Polish airspace from the Ukrainian Volin-Lviv border area. Those considered threats were “neutralized” with support from NATO Air Command and Dutch F-35 fighter jets. “A search for potential crash sites is ongoing,” the command said, urging residents of the Podrusky, Mazowieky and Lublin areas to stay indoors due to safety risks. Warsaw’s Chopin Airport will be temporarily closed, while Lublin’s airport will remain closed, causing widespread flight disruption.
Republican US representative Joe Wilson said, “Russia is attacking Iran’s Shahed Drone less than a week after President Trump hosted President Now Rocky in the White House. This is an act of war, and we are grateful to our NATO allies for their prompt response to continue the free and productive attacks of war detective Putin.”
Zelensky calls Russian drones “a dangerous precedent” over Poland
Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky denounced the incident as “a very dangerous precedent for Europe,” saying that Russia attacked 415 drones and 40 missiles overnight on 15 Ukrainian regions, and at least eight drones “directed towards Poland.” He urged a “strong, joint response” from Ukraine, Poland, Europe and the United States, and warned of demanding results for Russia’s escalation. One person has been killed in Ukraine’s Zhitmir region and three have been injured in Volochsk.
The Alliance has not yet issued an official statement, but NATO chief Mark Latte has been in close consultation with Polish leaders. Members of the Baltic Sea and Scandinavian NATO have expressed solidarity, Swedish Prime Minister Wolf Christerson calls the violation “unacceptable” and Latvian President Edgars Linkvicheese has defended “appropriate measures.” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espembazide was “deeply concerned” about the incident and reaffirmed his support for Poland.
Polish territorial defense forces reduced the time for reporting soldiers in the four eastern provinces to six hours, saying airspace violations and ongoing ground searches. The incident shows a growing vigilance in Poland, showing increased military spending and civilian safety training that reflects the fear that Russian invasions have spilled from Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed Russia’s claims of intent to attack NATO as “nonsense.” However, the incident raises concerns about the risk of escalation between Russia and the West following previous drone invasions into Poland and Romania.
