Poland Warns of Escalating Russian Drone Incursions

WARSAW — Poland has raised urgent alarm over what it describes as an intensifying pattern of Russian drone incursions into its sovereign airspace, marking one of the most serious breaches of NATO territory since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Officials and allied representatives are now calling for stronger deterrence, enhanced air defence capabilities, and more concerted multilateral action amid growing concerns that such provocations may escalate into broader conflict.

In the early hours of September 9–10, **at least 19 to 23 drones** reportedly flew from Russian or Belarusian territory into Poland, penetrating deeply in some cases. Polish air forces, along with NATO Allies, scrambled fighter jets, deployed radar and air-defence systems, and shot down several of the drones. Airspace operations at key airports—Warsaw, Modlin, Rzeszów-Jasionka, and Lublin—were temporarily closed as a precaution.

Poland has rejected Moscow’s claims that the incursions were unintentional, calling them deliberate acts aimed at testing NATO’s response readiness, command and control, and the alliance’s capacity to defend its eastern flank. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the incursions represented a “direct threat” not only to Poland but to all NATO member states.

At Poland’s request, NATO invoked **Article 4** consultations, a mechanism that allows member states to discuss threats to their security collectively. Shortly thereafter, on **September 12**, NATO launched **Operation Eastern Sentry**, designed to bolster air surveillance, rapid reaction, and air-defence coordination along its eastern flank. Allies including Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, and others have committed assets such as fighter jets, frigates, and early warning systems to the operation.

The incursions stirred concern among European governments, both for their scale and for the civilian risk involved. Reports indicate damage to property in several villages near Lublin, though no confirmed fatalities have been recorded. Debris from downed drones was scattered across eastern Poland.

Experts believe that these drone incursions serve multiple purposes: they test NATO’s air-defence readiness; probe for weak points in detection, interception, and command structures; and send a subtle message of assertiveness from Moscow without triggering a full-scale military retaliation. Analysts note that many of the drones recovered appear to be unarmed or decoys, implying psychological, strategic, or reconnaissance intent rather than direct lethal force.

Polish officials have not held back in strengthening their position. President Karol Nawrocki declared that Poland “does not get scared by Russian drones,” while Defense Minister and foreign counterparts urged accelerated procurement of counter-drone systems, tighter airspace monitoring, and greater allied cooperation.

Internationally, the incident has prompted diplomatic protests, emergency UN Security Council meetings at Poland’s request, and calls for clearer rules of engagement over drone-based cross-border violations. Some leaders are urging for a joint European approach to air-defence, especially over the territories bordering Ukraine and Belarus, to prevent further spillover of conflict.

As tensions rise, Poland’s military modernization—including planned deliveries of F-35 aircraft and updates to systems such as SkyCTRL—are now under sharper scrutiny for timely implementation. Warsaw insists that deterrence hinges not only on diplomatic condemnation, but on credible capability to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats.

With NATO’s Eastern Sentry now operational and multiple member-states reinforcing their eastern air defence posture, Poland and its allies are engaged in a delicate balancing act: projecting strength and deterrence without sliding into open confrontation with Russia. In the coming days and weeks, the effectiveness of these measures, the clarity of command across NATO’s eastern flank, and Moscow’s next moves will be closely watched.