Camilla Jessen
Russian drones have been shot down by Polish military after violating the airspace.
Poland has confirmed shooting down drone-like objects during Russia’s latest strike on Ukraine, prompting widespread airport closures and military mobilization across the country.
This was reported by Digi24.
Direct Action in Polish Airspace
In what may be the most serious cross-border incident since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s military confirmed on Wednesday morning that it had used weapons to intercept “drone-like objects” that violated its airspace during overnight Russian attacks.
Stay Indoors
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was receiving real-time updates from military leadership and is now “on the scene.”
Authorities have urged residents in affected regions to stay indoors, as military operations continue to locate fallen debris.
NATO on Alert
As a NATO member, Poland’s engagement with Russian aircraft carries broader implications.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. So far, Polish officials have avoided framing the incident as an act of war.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to CNN that he had been informed of Russian drones in Polish airspace, following a dinner with President Donald Trump.
Multiple Airports Closed
Warsaw Chopin Airport, one of Poland’s busiest hubs, was among several airports temporarily closed on Wednesday morning.
Other closures include Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, long used as a NATO logistical hub near the Ukrainian border, and Lublin Airport, southeast of Warsaw.
A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration cited “unplanned military activities related to ensuring state security” as the reason for the closures.
Air Defense on Full Alert
Poland’s Armed Forces confirmed that “ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest alert level.”
Fighter jets were scrambled in response to radar sightings of incoming drones, reportedly launched during one of Russia’s largest recent airstrikes on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military initially reported that drones were threatening the city of Zamosc, near the Polish border. One drone was reportedly heading toward Rzeszow, though the original alert was later deleted.
Border with Belarus Shut Down
Compounding security concerns, Poland also announced a full closure of its border with Belarus starting Thursday at midnight.
The move comes just before the Zapad 25 joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus, set to begin Friday near NATO’s eastern flank.
“These are very aggressive maneuvers from a military doctrine perspective,” said Prime Minister Tusk, citing national security as the reason behind the complete border shutdown.
Could This Mark a Turning Point?
While Polish jets have been mobilized before in response to Russian drone incursions, this appears to be the first confirmed shootdown of such objects by Poland’s military.
If verified to be of Russian origin, this incident could mark the first direct military engagement between a NATO member and Russian forces during the Ukraine war.
Russia Stays Silent
So far, Russia has not issued any statement on the matter.
President Vladimir Putin has consistently claimed he has no plans to confront NATO militarily, a position Western analysts have viewed with skepticism.
Attacks on Ukraine Intensify
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military reports a continued barrage of drones and cruise missiles across the country.
Warnings have been posted at regular intervals, urging residents to seek shelter.
The scale and pace of Russian attacks appear to be increasing, coinciding with the growing presence of NATO defenses near Ukraine’s borders.
