FROM ABC NEWS: Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country’s prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country’s air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.
“Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said early on Wednesday on social media. “I am in constant communication with the Secretary-General of NATO and our allies.”
Polish and allied aircraft — including Dutch F-35 fighter jets — were airborne overnight to “help ensure safety in Polish skies,” the military said. Those operations ended early on Wednesday, Warsaw said, adding that the search continued for downed drones and potential impact sites.
According to Tusk, the aggressive violation “changes the political situation,” noting that this is the first time in history that Russian drones have been shot down on NATO territory.
The violation of Polish airspace prompted Polish leaders to plan an “extraordinary meeting” to respond.
Warsaw requested the invocation of NATO Article 4, which allows a NATO member to convene a meeting bringing allies together to consult about threats to its security.
The Daily Mail reports: “NATO leaders scrambled to immediately address the first military incident between the countries since the 2022 Ukraine invasion after Poland said it shot down military drones that ‘repeatedly violated’ its airspace.”
Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down. I am in constant communication with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 10, 2025
Poland’s military command called the violations “unprecedented,” saying they amounted to “an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”
Pro-Trump Republican Rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.). Went further, saying the move was an “act of war.”
“I urge President Trump to respond with mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia,” he said.
Wilson said Putin is “directly testing our resolve in NATO territory” and that “free and prosperous nations will teach Russia about borders.”
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said, “Putin is testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations. After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored.”
Repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones are fair warning that Vladimir Putin is testing our resolve to protect Poland and the Baltic nations. After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) September 9, 2025
In an X post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “There have been previous incidents of individual Russian drones crossing the border and traveling a short distance into neighboring countries. But this time, we are recording a much larger scale and deliberate targeting.”
He continued, “Ukraine is ready to provide Poland with all the necessary data available regarding this Russian strike. Ukraine is also ready to help Poland build an effective system of warning and protection against such Russian threats. It is clear that Russian aggression poses a danger to every independent nation in our region, and therefore only joint and coordinated action can guarantee reliable security.
“The precedent of using combat aircraft from several European countries simultaneously to shoot down Russian weapons and protect human lives is highly significant. Ukraine has long proposed to its partners the creation of a joint air-defense system to ensure the guaranteed downing of ‘shaheds’, other drones, and missiles through the combined strength of our combat aviation and air defenses. Together, Europeans are always stronger. Russia must feel that the response to this escalatory step, and even more so to an attempt to humiliate one of Europe’s key countries, will be clear and strong from all partners.”
Уже не перша доповідь за цю добу від командувача наших Повітряних сил. Уточнюємо всі наявні дані, аналізуємо деталі цього російського удару.
Ще вночі українські військові повідомляли польській стороні відповідними каналами інформацію щодо руху російських дронів.
Близько 00:50…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 10, 2025
In another post, Zelensky wrote, “At least two Russian drones that entered Polish territory during the night used Belarusian airspace. In total, at least several dozen Russian drones were moving along the border of Ukraine and Belarus and across western regions of Ukraine, approaching targets on Ukrainian territory and, apparently, on Polish territory.”
He continued, “The number of Russian drones that traversed into Poland and penetrated deeply into its territory may be greater than the previously announced figure. According to updated data, around two dozen of Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace during the night. We are verifying this.”
He went on to say that Ukraine is “ready to expand our cooperation with partners for reliable protection of the sky.”
“Russia must feel that Europeans know how to defend themselves,” he added.
More information is coming in about the intrusion of Russian attack drones into Polish territory. As of now, it’s known about 8 drones. Increasing evidence indicates that this movement, this direction of strike, was no accident. There have been previous incidents of individual…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 10, 2025
In other comments, Zelensky said, “Moscow always pushes the boundaries of what is possible. And if it does not encounter a strong reaction, it remains at the new level of escalation.”
READ MORE AT ABC NEWS
