At least three Russian drones were shot down by Polish and other NATO aircraft in Poland's airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine, the Polish prime minister has said.
Donald Tusk stated that Poland recorded 19 drone incursions, some of which forced temporary closures of four airports, including Warsaw's main hub, Chopin Airport.
This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two, Tusk declared, indicating this marks the first time Russian drones have been intercepted over NATO territory since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In response, Russia's defense ministry asserted there were no plans to target Polish facilities, while Belarus, a Russian ally, suggested the drones crossed into Poland accidentally due to navigation system failures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that this incident sets a dangerous precedent for Europe, echoing sentiments from Ukrainian officials regarding the broader implications of Russian aggression.
U.S. officials also expressed concern, with President Trump commenting on the airspace violations, highlighting the ensuing geopolitical instability.
Tusk noted that the situation is complex, involving significant coordination among NATO members as he sought to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which facilitates urgent consultations within the alliance.
The Russian drones are part of a continuing series of assaults on Ukraine, with Kyiv reporting substantial numbers of drones and missiles launched recently.
Given the escalating drone incursions, military and civil authorities in Poland are intensifying their readiness and response strategies.
