Warsaw – Poland is poised to respond decisively to any attacks or provocations, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced following the downing of Russian drones that breached its airspace amid a large-scale Russian offensive in western Ukraine, reports 24brussels.
A significant number of Russian drones entered Polish airspace, with those posing an immediate threat being successfully neutralized, according to Tusk. He described the incursion as “an act of aggression,” marking the first instance of an alliance member engaging militarily in the ongoing conflict.
“We are dealing with a large-scale provocation… We are ready to repel such provocations. The situation is serious, and no one doubts that we must prepare for various scenarios,”
Tusk stated. NATO spokespersons indicated that NATO chief Mark Rutte is in close communication with Polish leadership, further emphasizing the alliance’s support for Poland during this heightened period of tension.
How did Russian drones violate Polish airspace?
Poland’s military command reported that multiple drones had infringed upon its airspace amid the Russian attack on western Ukraine. The counter-operation against these incursions has concluded, with radars detecting over ten objects, and actions were taken to neutralize those deemed threatening, as per BBC reports.
“Searches and efforts to locate the potential crash sites of these objects are ongoing,”
The command expressed gratitude to NATO air command and the Dutch air force for their support during the incident. Citizens were advised to remain indoors, particularly in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions, identified as being at highest risk. The command added:
“This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”
What previous Russian airspace violations have involved Poland?
Since the onset of the conflict in 2022, numerous incidents have occurred in which Russian drones have entered the airspace of neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania, although these incursions had not previously resulted in defensive actions. In March 2025, Poland scrambled fighter jets when a Russian missile briefly traversed its airspace while en route to a target in western Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing risks of such incidents.