WARSAW, Poland — Polish authorities confirmed Wednesday that their air force successfully intercepted and neutralized several Russian drones that entered the country’s airspace during nighttime attacks on Ukraine.
The defense ministry reported that 19 drones crossed into Polish territory between late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning. At least eight were shot down by F-16 fighters, operating alongside NATO support. Wreckage landed in multiple locations, including the village of Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone struck a home. No injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incursion as a deliberate act of aggression and requested immediate consultations with NATO allies under Article 4. Flights at key airports in Warsaw, Rzeszów, and Lublin were temporarily suspended while the interceptions took place.
NATO officials called the incident unprecedented, marking the first time allied forces engaged Russian equipment directly in European airspace since the beginning of the conflict. Moscow denied targeting Poland, attributing the drones’ deviation to technical issues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the event represented a significant escalation and urged a strong allied response. European leaders also issued condemnations, with several advocating for additional sanctions against Russia.
Investigators are continuing to examine wreckage as recovery operations proceed. Poland has increased aerial patrols and remains on high alert for any further drone incursions.
