Polish airspace was repeatedly violated overnight by Russian drones, marking one of the most serious security incidents since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, at least three drones were shot down, while the search for wreckage continues in several regions.
First Incursions from Belarus
Speaking in the Sejm on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Tusk stressed that this was the first time drones had entered Poland directly from Belarus, rather than accidentally crossing from Ukraine.
“This is unprecedented. For the first time during this war, a significant number of drones came directly from Belarus. This was not a mistake or a small provocation—it was a deliberate act,” Tusk told lawmakers.
The Prime Minister confirmed 19 recorded violations of Polish airspace. The first occurred around 22:06 on Tuesday night, with the last detected at approximately 6:30 Wednesday morning.
Military Response
The Operational Command of the Armed Forces raised the alert level, activating ground-based air defense systems and NATO-coordinated support. Two F-35s, two F-16s, Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, and Black Hawk helicopters were deployed, along with early-warning aircraft.
Tusk added that at least three drones were confirmed destroyed, with a possible fourth, though poor weather conditions are complicating verification.
Wreckage Found in Multiple Regions
Authorities have confirmed drone debris in several locations:
- Czosnówka, near Biała Podlaska (Lublin region)
- Wyryki (Lublin region), where a drone crashed into a residential building
- Mniszków (Łódź region)
- Cześniki (Lublin region), near a cemetery
Officials urged the public not to approach or touch drone fragments and to report discoveries to police or emergency services.
Airports Temporarily Closed
Four Polish airports—Warsaw Chopin, Modlin, Rzeszów, and Lublin—were closed during the operation. By 7:00 a.m., all except Lublin had resumed normal operations.
Education Minister Barbara Nowacka assured the public that schools remain open and there is no need for extraordinary safety measures.
NATO and U.S. Briefed
The Polish government has notified NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the U.S. Secretary of State about the incident.
President Karol Nawrocki announced that he will convene a meeting of the National Security Council within 48 hours. He also confirmed that discussions are underway about invoking Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, which provides for consultations when a member state considers its security or territorial integrity at risk.
A NATO source told Reuters that preliminary assessments suggest the drone incursions were a deliberate Russian action, though the alliance does not currently classify the incident as an attack.
Political Fallout
During Tusk’s address in the Sejm, opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński was notably absent from the chamber, entering only after the Prime Minister had finished.
Tusk emphasized that Poland expects stronger commitments from allies:
“Article 4 is just the beginning of deeper cooperation to secure our skies and our borders—the borders of NATO. Words are not enough. This is not just Poland’s war, or Ukraine’s war. It is Russia’s confrontation with the entire free world, and this must be understood by all.”
While no casualties have been reported, the scale and direction of the drone incursion mark a dangerous escalation. NATO consultations are expected, but for now, Poland continues to strengthen its defenses while avoiding immediate escalation.
