Poland’s Prime Minister Decries Repeated Drone Violations by Russia as a Direct Threat

Warsaw, September 17, 2025 — Prime Minister Donald Tusk has issued a stern warning that multiple incursions of Russian drones into Polish sovereign airspace represent a growing threat not just to Poland, but to NATO’s eastern flank and European security at large. The incidents, which saw nearly 20 drone-type objects violating Polish airspace overnight during Russia’s ongoing aerial assault on Ukraine, led to military counter-measures and a call for urgent allied consultations.

According to official reports, several of the drones were shot down after being tracked entering from neighbouring Belarus, while others were neutralised once deemed to pose a direct threat. Poland’s armed forces scrambled fighter jets and activated air defence systems in the regions of Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin. Civilian air traffic was disrupted, with Warsaw’s Chopin Airport temporarily closed amid the unfolding aerial breach.

Prime Minister Tusk described the drone incursions as “an act of aggression,” adding that they were “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II,” though he emphasized that, as yet, there is no reason to believe a full-scale war is imminent. He affirmed that Poland is prepared to defend its airspace robustly and has initiated preventive operations along its eastern borders.

In response, Poland invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, requesting consultations with its NATO allies. Tusk has called for solidarity and support from the alliance, arguing that violations of Polish airspace—even by unmanned systems—cannot be tolerated, especially given their increasing frequency and potential for escalation.

Allied reactions have ranged from condemnation to concern. European leaders and EU officials, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have called for coordinated air defence measures and stronger sanctions against Russia. There is growing urgency to bolster detection, interception, and response capabilities, particularly along borders adjacent to Belarus and Ukraine.

Poland’s government also confirmed that air traffic restrictions have been imposed along its eastern border regions, including limiting operations of general aviation and banning drones over certain zones. These measures are part of a newly announced military modernisation programme, aimed at ensuring Poland can swiftly counter such violations in the future.

The Kremlin has denied that the incursions were deliberate, suggesting some drones may have strayed off course due to technical issues or navigational disruption. Nonetheless, Polish officials and analysts alike assert that the scale, timing, and paths of the drone flights point toward intentional provocations.

As tensions rise, Poland insists that its responses adhere to international law while also urging NATO and EU partners to treat drone incursions with the gravity they deserve. For Warsaw, moments like this underscore the need to invest in layered air defence, intelligence sharing, and a unified alliance posture to deter future threats.