Poland has put its air defense forces on high alert after reports of Russian drones entering its airspace during nighttime attacks on Ukraine. The Polish Armed Forces shared on social media that they are closely monitoring increased activity from Russian long-range aviation, which is linked to missile strikes on Ukrainian targets. They have activated all necessary safety procedures to protect Polish airspace and warned that Polish and allied aircraft may be flying, leading to higher noise levels, particularly in the southeastern parts of the country.
Ukrainian military officials indicated that several Russian drones crossed into Poland while heading towards western Ukraine. Poland’s Ministry of Defense confirmed this violation and responded by activating aircraft, radar systems, and ground-based air defenses. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injuries, and the drones left Polish airspace without being intercepted.
This incident adds to a series of drone-related events in Poland. Earlier this month, on September 2 and 3, two Russian drones briefly entered Polish territory without causing harm. However, a more concerning event occurred on August 20 when a Shahed drone crashed and exploded in a cornfield about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
In light of these increasing incidents, Poland is enhancing its security measures. Airspace over Warsaw has reportedly been closed, and the government plans to close its border with Belarus, starting Thursday. This decision comes amid worries over joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises called Zapad-2025, which Polish authorities deem a potential threat to national security.
Several regional airports were temporarily closed as a precaution during the latest drone alert. While no civilian casualties have been reported, air travel and logistics have faced disruptions.
Poland’s actions reflect growing fears of spillover from the ongoing war in Ukraine. NATO member states are increasingly concerned about the risk of cross-border incidents. Although NATO has not issued a formal response to the latest drone intrusion, Polish officials are briefing their allies and coordinating surveillance and airspace defense with neighboring countries.
The Polish government has stressed its commitment to defending its airspace and responding to any further provocations. A spokesperson from the defense ministry stated that they are taking these violations very seriously and that the armed forces are ready to take necessary actions.
As the situation develops, officials are urging the public to stay alert but calm. Monitoring of the eastern border is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out implementing additional security measures in the coming days.
