Poland shoots down Russian drones after major airspace violation as WW3 fears escalate
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that his nation intercepted multiple Russian drones that violated its airspace. The incident occurred early Wednesday during a Russian attack on Ukraine, which Tusk labeled a “large-scale provocation.”
As many as 19 drone incursions were recorded overnight. Tusk stated that a number of these aircraft had entered from Belarus, a known Russian ally used as a launchpad for attacks. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting Poland must prepare for “various scenarios.”
However, both Belarus and Russia denied the accusations. Belarus claimed the drones had simply “lost their way,” while a Russian diplomat in Warsaw called Poland’s claims “groundless” and insisted Moscow had no interest in escalating tensions with Poland.
Despite this backlash, Polish military command described the strikes as an “act of aggression.” Polish President Andrzej Duda assured citizens that “the security of our Homeland is the highest priority.”
In response, Prime Minister Tusk activated Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows members to request urgent consultations with their allies. This move prompted a direct NATO response to the incident.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that alliance air defenses engaged the drones. This marks the first time NATO assets have directly engaged Russian targets since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.
European leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer, condemned the violation as a “reckless move.” Poland’s military has since stated its airspace security has been stabilized.
