Poland said Wednesday morning it shot down drones that violated its airspace during a large-scale Russian attack on western Ukraine. The country called the incursion “an act of aggression,” reported news agency Reuters.
Ukraine’s air force reported overnight air raid alerts across much of its territory, including the western Volyn and Lviv regions that border Poland.
Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was in “constant contact” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He convened an emergency meeting of his cabinet for 8 a.m. local time.
Poland’s military command said radars tracked more than 10 objects crossing the border during the attack. Drones were consequently “neutralized,” and searches were underway to locate potential crash sites.
“Some of the drones that entered our airspace were shot down,” the command said, urging residents in Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions to stay home. “This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” explained the command, according to Reuters.
While Russian drones have crossed into NATO territory before—including in Poland and Romania. However, this is one of the first times they have been intercepted. Officials in the past have warned of the risks of escalation if drones were brought down.
Airports Reopen After Temporary Closures
There was a disruption in air traffic for several hours as Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, the country’s largest, closed its airspace. The airport has since reopened but warned of delays through the day. Chopin Airport handled 21.3 million passengers in 2024, making it Europe’s 28th busiest.
Nearby Modlin Airport and Rzeszów, near the Ukrainian border, also resumed operations. Restrictions remain in place at Lublin Airport.
Border With Belarus to Close Amid Russian Drills
Separately, Poland said it will close its border with Belarus at midnight Thursday local time, citing upcoming Russia-led military exercises in the country.
The large-scale “Zapad” drills, staged jointly by Russia and Belarus, have raised alarm among NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Lithuania said it was reinforcing defenses along its borders with both Russia and Belarus in response.
Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and NATO has yet to issue a statement bout the drones incursion into Poland territory.
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