NATO and U.S. on alert as Poland downs Russian drones and shuts airports
Poland’s military says Russian drones “repeatedly violated” its airspace in an unprecedented escalation near Ukraine.
Poland’s armed forces say they shot down Russian drone-type objects that “repeatedly violated” Polish airspace early Wednesday morning, as Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine.
It marks the first time since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022 that a NATO member has directly taken down Russian assets in its own airspace. Poland borders Ukraine to the west and Germany to the east.
Polish military calls incident ‘act of aggression’
In a statement on X, the Polish army’s operational command said: “As a result of the attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory, there was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by drone-type objects.”
The military described the event as an “act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”
Citizens told to shelter, airports forced to close
Authorities advised residents in three regions close to the Ukrainian border to remain at home and seek shelter. That included the Mazowieckie voivodeship (province), where Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is located.
Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, the busiest in Poland and the 28th busiest in Europe in 2024, was one of four airports closed after the incursion. The closures came as Polish airspace was temporarily shut down.
Polish leaders coordinate with NATO
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he has been in “constant contact” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, President Karol Nawrocki is set to lead a briefing at the National Security Bureau focused on safeguarding “the security of our homeland.”
NATO operations in Poland are led by the U.S. military.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.