Reports made by International Reporters (IR) suggest that at least one of the drones shown in photos from Poland may have been a decoy device rather than an armed system. According to this account, the drone — identified by its serial number — was never equipped with a warhead and was originally launched months ago to overload Ukrainian air defenses.
The claim argues that the drone does not have the range to reach Polish territory and was not designed for strikes, but rather as a diversionary tool to distract surveillance groups. It further suggests the device may have been recovered intact and later displayed in Poland, noting the absence of visible crash damage in the photos.
IBN cannot independently verify these assertions.
What is confirmed is that the Russian military has previously employed “dummy/ Dumb" drones alongside armed systems during cross-border operations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has asked NATO to hold urgent consultations under Article 4 of the alliance treaty, following what he described as “an act of aggression” against Poland. He told lawmakers that the military tracked 19 airspace violations overnight, with at least three and possibly four drones shot down.
Tusk said the drones entered from Belarusian territory and called the incident a Russian “provocation.” Moscow has not commented. Belarus, meanwhile, claimed it had tracked drones straying off course during strikes between Russia and Ukraine and had warned Poland in advance.
European leaders voiced support for Warsaw. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the issue in her “State of the Union” speech, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it “the most serious European airspace violation since 2022.”
According to a member of the Polish delegation the drones in Poland where targeted and aimed at undermining the European Union and Polish territory.
Further more the Polish delegation thanked the European leaders for calls of solidarity.
Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires in Warsaw following the overnight drone incident. The ministry said it delivered a formal protest over what it called a violation of Polish airspace and sovereignty. Moscow has not yet issued a public response.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the reported drone incursions into Poland as “reckless” and “unprecedented.” She said the episode underlines the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its defenses.
Von der Leyen announced that the EU will push forward with new sanctions against Russia, accelerate the phasing out of Russian fossil fuels, and reinforce joint European air defense. She also linked the incident to the EU’s Readiness 2030 plan, aimed at boosting military readiness and resilience across the Union.
Her comments come after a recent visit to the Polish-Belarusian border alongside Prime Minister Donald Tusk, where she stressed European solidarity and warned against rising hybrid threats.
Night of Sept 9–10: Russia launched a large drone and missile strike on Ukraine, involving hundreds of drones.
Around 01:13 AM: Nineteen Shahed-type drones reportedly entered Polish airspace.
Early hours: Polish radar detected the drones, and NATO aircraft were scrambled in response.
06:45 AM: Polish forces said they shot down three to four drones that posed a direct threat.
Morning of Sept 10: Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland had requested NATO to invoke Article 4, requiring urgent alliance consultations.
Morning of Sept 10: Airports in Warsaw and other regions were temporarily closed while the air operation was underway.
Post-incursion: Residents in eastern Poland were advised to remain indoors as the military response continued.
Throughout Sept 10: NATO and EU leaders expressed solidarity with Poland, with discussions about additional air defense measures.
As of now: Moscow has not issued any public comment on Poland’s claims.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared his government’s full solidarity with Poland after the reported drone incident, describing the violation of Polish territory as “unacceptable.”
Orban argued that the episode highlights the risks of living “in the shadow of war” and reiterated his long-standing call for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said Hungary supports international efforts to end the fighting, specifically pointing to former US President Donald Trump’s stated initiatives aimed at brokering a settlement.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that he held urgent consultations with cabinet members, the Chief of Defence, and security services regarding the situation in Poland. He emphasized that the Netherlands is monitoring developments “closely.”
Schoof condemned what Warsaw has described as last night’s violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, calling the incident “unacceptable.” His remarks align with earlier expressions of solidarity from NATO members, although no independent evidence has yet been presented to verify Poland’s claims.
Acting Defense Minister Brekelmans announced that Dutch F-35 fighter jets operating in Poland have intercepted and destroyed Shahed drones.
It was previously reported that Dutch aircraft had taken part in the operation against drones said to have entered Polish airspace during overnight strikes. Poland specifically thanked the Netherlands for its contribution and support.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed that the country’s airspace was violated nineteen times overnight, adding that it is “likely” four drones were brought down. According to Tusk, the last drone was intercepted at 6:45 a.m. this morning.
While he insisted that Poland is not at war, Tusk stated that the situation has brought the country “closer to an armed conflict than at any point since the Second World War.”
The prime minister urged greater support from allies, arguing that Poland “needs more than expressions of solidarity.” He confirmed that Warsaw has asked NATO to invoke Article 4, which would require the alliance to convene urgently to discuss the security threat.
On footage verified by IBN, the damage caused by a downed drone can clearly be observed. It remains uncertain whether the destruction was the direct result of the drone itself or from falling debris.
The unmanned aircraft crashed into a house in Wyryki, eastern Poland. The images show visible damage to the roof and rubble scattered next to the building.