Poland shut down Russian drones violated airspace during Ukraine attack

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday confirmed that his country’s airspace had been violated by “a huge number of Russian drones” which were shot down by its military.

Poland’s military said that it shot down drones which breached its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine, media reported.

According to media this is the first time Poland has taken such action, raising fears of a major provocation for Europe and NATO forces.

“This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” Poland’s Operation Command said in a post on X.

Tusk confirmed that the country’s airspace had been violated by “a huge number of Russian drones” which were shot down by its military.

He was in close communication with Poland’s allies and the Secretary General of NATO regarding the incident.

Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also pressed Western partners to act faster against Moscow.

“Russian drones flying into Poland during the massive attack on Ukraine show that Putin’s sense of impunity keeps growing because he was not properly punished for his previous crimes. Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West. The longer he faces no strength in response, the more aggressive he gets. A weak response now will provoke Russia even more–and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe,” he said.

Sybiha called on NATO members and neighbouring countries to let their air defence systems intercept drones and missiles inside Ukraine’s airspace. “This situation shows that finally the decision needs to be taken to enable partner air defence capabilities in neighbouring countries to be used to intercept drones and missiles in the Ukrainian airspace, including those approaching NATO borders. Ukraine has suggested such step for a long time. It needs to be taken for the sake of collective security. This is also a call for partners to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and better protect against a growing number of Russian drones and missiles attacking us on the regular basis,” he wrote on X.

He stressed the need for tougher sanctions. “Furthermore, sanctions must be ramped up without delay. Putin will only get serious about peace negotiations when he faces serious transatlantic pressure. The Russian War Machine must be stopped–and it can only be stopped by strength, not weakness,” Sybiha said