Poland’s government has claimed that its military forces intercepted several drones that entered its territory overnight during Russian strikes on Ukraine. Officials described the event as an “unprecedented” violation of national sovereignty and said defensive measures were immediately put into effect.
According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Polish troops were deployed after “multiple violations” of national airspace were detected. In posts on X, the prime minister explained that defensive weapons were used against the objects and that NATO allies were notified at once. “I informed the NATO Secretary General about the current situation and the steps we have taken,” Tusk said, adding that he was in constant contact with President Andrzej Duda and Defense Minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
So far, no visual or physical evidence has been made public. Moscow has not issued a statement in response. Given that earlier incidents in the region, including the drone crash in Moldova, were later revealed to involve Ukrainian equipment rather than Russian, observers note that caution is required before drawing firm conclusions.
Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said that allied radar systems tracked “dozens of objects” during the night. Several of these were classified as threats and “neutralized” by Polish air defenses. Search operations are now underway to recover possible debris and verify the type and origin of the drones.
The Operational Command of the Armed Forces issued warnings to residents in Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie, advising them to remain indoors while military activity continued. Local media reported that emergency services were placed on high alert, though no injuries or property damage have been confirmed.
In an official statement, the Polish military called the reported breach a “real threat” to national security. It added that the scale of the incident was unlike anything seen previously, underscoring what Warsaw views as a growing regional risk.
The alleged airspace violation came during a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes targeting Ukrainian facilities across western and central regions. Explosions were reported in Kiev, Lviv, Rovno, and Vinnitsa. Russian officials have recently stated that such operations are intended to suppress Ukrainian military capabilities and prevent further attacks on Russian territory.
Moscow has increased cross-border strikes in recent months after Kiev launched its own attacks against Russian cities and infrastructure. This cycle of escalation has created frequent claims about drones and missiles entering the territory of neighboring states. In some cases, such as the Moldovan example, early accusations directed at Russia proved unfounded once investigations concluded.
The drone reports surfaced just as Poland prepares to close its border crossings with Belarus, citing security concerns related to upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian military drills. Warsaw has mobilized tens of thousands of troops for NATO training exercises, portraying these steps as defensive preparations.
Belarus, meanwhile, has said it will closely monitor NATO maneuvers and respond to any perceived signs of aggression. This parallel buildup of military activity on both sides of the border has contributed to rising anxiety in the region.
While Polish officials continue to stress the severity of the overnight incident, the absence of verifiable evidence leaves the matter unresolved. Analysts point out that in an environment of intense information warfare, claims of airspace violations are often difficult to confirm and sometimes later disproven.