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| A car damaged by debris from the roof is parked next to a house whose roof was destroyed, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, with some being shot down by Poland with the backing from its NATO allies, in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, September 10, 2025. — Reuters |
Poland Gathers NATO Allies After Russian Drones Enter Airspace
A car damaged by debris from the roof is parked next to a house whose roof was destroyed, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, with some being shot down by Poland with the backing from its NATO allies, in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, September 10, 2025....
Poland convened urgent talks with NATO allies on Wednesday after Russian drones entered its airspace during strikes on Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, warning that the crisis was edging closer to “open conflict.”
According to Tusk, Poland’s airspace was violated 19 times, with at least three drones shot down after Warsaw and allied forces scrambled jets. No casualties were reported. Local media showed images of a damaged home in the village of Wyryki-Wola, where firefighters and soldiers inspected debris scattered across the site.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski described the intrusion as deliberate, calling it “an unprecedented case of an attack not only on Poland’s territory but also on NATO and the European Union.”
The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump was monitoring the situation closely and planned to speak with Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
Russia’s defense ministry denied any involvement, while its foreign ministry accused Poland of spreading “myths.” The Russian embassy in Warsaw told AFP that Poland had not provided proof the drones were of Russian origin.
Although Russian drones and missiles have crossed into NATO states before, none had previously been intercepted. Tusk invoked NATO’s Article 4, which allows consultations when a member’s security is threatened—only the eighth time it has been triggered in the alliance’s history.
“This situation brings us closer than ever to open conflict since World War II,” Tusk told parliament, though he stressed Poland was not declaring war.
The incident coincided with a wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine, including in Lviv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the airspace violation a “dangerous precedent” for Europe and urged a strong Western response.
Polish authorities reported a house and car damaged and confirmed seven drones and debris from an unidentified projectile had been found. Residents described the terrifying moment of impact.
NATO’s North Atlantic Council held an extraordinary meeting under Article 4. Alliance chief Mark Rutte condemned Moscow’s “reckless behaviour” and praised NATO’s air defenses, saying they had performed effectively.
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Poland’s military command called the drone incursions “unprecedented” and “an act of aggression.” European leaders warned that Russia was testing the resolve of Ukraine’s allies.
The incident comes days before large-scale Zapad-2025 military drills begin in Russia and Belarus. Tusk said “critical days” lay ahead and announced the closure of Poland’s remaining border crossings with Belarus.
Poland, a key backer of Ukraine, hosts over a million Ukrainian refugees and serves as a crucial transit hub for Western military and humanitarian aid.