At least three Russian drones were shot down by Polish and other NATO aircraft during a series of attacks on Ukraine, according to the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.
Tusk informed lawmakers that Poland recorded 19 drone incursions, some of which were significant enough to temporarily close four airports, including the main Chopin airport in Warsaw.
He stated, This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two, indicating that this is the first instance of Russian drones being downed on NATO soil since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
In response, Russia's defense ministry claimed there were no intentions to target Polish territory, and the drones involved allegedly had a maximum range of 700 km.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the drone incursions as a dangerous precedent for Europe, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asserting that it showcased Russian President Vladimir Putin’s escalation of hostilities.
Tusk has emphasized the gravity of the situation, invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty to initiate urgent consultations among member states. Poland remains firmly in contact with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who commended the alliance's swift response.
The Polish military, acknowledging the threat posed by the Russian drones, initiated preemptive measures by calling the air defenses to maximum alert and deploying various aircraft for protective actions.
Moreover, the airspace disruptions caused significant delays at Warsaw's airports, with many flights being diverted to other cities.
The Polish authorities are continuing their investigations into the drone incursions, reaffirming their commitment to national security as the situation unfolds.
