Poland’s military shot down several drones that entered its airspace on Wednesday during a Russian attack on Ukraine. This marked the first time Warsaw directly responded to the war in its neighboring country. Polish officials called the incident an act of aggression.
The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said military operations were ongoing. He also confirmed being in “constant contact” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. An emergency council of ministers meeting was scheduled early Wednesday to address the situation.
According to Poland’s military command, radars tracked over 10 drones crossing from western Ukraine. Those posing a threat were “neutralized,” while searches for potential crash sites are continuing. The military warned residents in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions to stay indoors for safety.
Chopin Airport in Warsaw, the country’s largest, temporarily closed its airspace due to military actions. Flights scheduled to land there were diverted to other Polish airports, including Katowice, Wroclaw, and Poznan. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that four Polish airports, including Rzeszow–Jasionka, were temporarily closed.
The incident drew international attention. In the United States, lawmakers called the drone incursions an “act of war.” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said Russian drones were testing NATO’s resolve to protect Poland. Republican Representative Joe Wilson urged strong sanctions against Russia, calling the attacks a direct threat to NATO.
Poland has been on alert since a stray Ukrainian missile hit a village in 2022. Russian and Belarus military exercises, called “Zapad” drills, have increased regional security concerns. Experts say repeated drone incursions are intentional tests of NATO and national air defenses.
This event highlights rising tensions in Eastern Europe. Poland’s swift response underlines the country’s commitment to defending its airspace and upholding NATO obligations amid ongoing regional conflicts.
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