Warsaw, Poland – In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Poland's armed forces, with support from NATO allies, shot down multiple Russian drones that violated Polish airspace early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred during a large-scale Russian aerial assault on western Ukraine, marking the first time Warsaw has directly engaged Russian aerial assets over its territory since the conflict began. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incursion as a "huge number of Russian drones" and an "act of aggression," confirming that those posing a direct threat were neutralized.
The violation of Polish airspace has triggered a high-level response, with Prime Minister Tusk engaging in constant communication with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other allies. A meeting of Poland's National Security Council has been called by President Andrzej Duda within 48 hours to fully assess the situation and formulate a response. The North Atlantic Council is also convening to discuss NATO's reaction to the incident, underscoring the gravity of the airspace breach within the alliance.
In response to the heightened threat, Poland has announced the closure of its borders with Belarus ahead of scheduled Russian military exercises. The Polish Territorial Army has also implemented a shortened reporting time for soldiers, reflecting the increased readiness necessitated by recent airspace violations. The regions of Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin were identified as being at the highest risk during the drone incursions, with Warsaw's Chopin Airport temporarily suspending flights due to the military operations.
The incident is occurring as Poland is set to receive substantial financial support from the European Union to bolster its defense capabilities. Under a new EU program aimed at enhancing defense, Poland is allocated approximately $44 billion in loans, making it the largest beneficiary of the initiative. This significant investment underscores Warsaw's commitment to strengthening its armed forces in light of what it perceives as an escalating Russian threat.
The drone incursions into Polish airspace are being viewed not only as a direct threat to Poland but also as a test of NATO's collective defense capabilities. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala commented that the attack was a "test of the defence capabilities of Nato countries," adding that "Putin's regime threatens all of Europe and systematically probes how far it can go." The European Union has expressed full solidarity with Poland, with EU Council President António Costa stating that "the security of one is the security of all."
