On the night of September 9, 2025, Russian drones violated Polish airspace. The wave of incursions began around 11:30 p.m. and continued until after dawn.
Course of Events
On the night of September 9, the Polish Air Force detected Russian drones entering Polish airspace. International media outlets described the violation as a development that heightened tensions in Europe. NATO quickly scrambled fighter jets under its air policing mission and introduced additional measures to secure allied airspace. In the initial phase, the reasons behind the drone incursions remained unclear.
Infographic on Drone Attacks - (Anadolu Agency)
Polish authorities officially announced that some of the drones crossing the border had been shot down. This development heightened security concerns both domestically and among allied nations. The incident resonated beyond Europe, surfacing in U.S. domestic politics as well. Former President Donald Trump, in a social media post, reacted to the violation by Russian drones with the words “here we go.”
Poland’s Official Response and Military Measures
Following the violation of its airspace, the Polish government adopted a firm stance. On September 10, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Poland was at its “closest point to open conflict since World War II.” The Ministry of Defense announced that the national security alert level had been raised. According to the General Staff, air defense systems were reinforced in border regions and additional radar units were deployed.
One of the Polish military’s first responses was to shoot down several of the Russian drones that entered its airspace. This step was presented as both a demonstration of deterrence and of Poland’s determination to defend its territory. Government officials further announced that, in coordination with NATO, joint exercises and enhanced airspace surveillance would be expanded. In this framework, Polish authorities emphasized that the incident was not only a matter of national security but also a critical test of the integrity of the Euro-Atlantic alliance.
NATO and International Reactions
After the violation, NATO scrambled fighter jets, responding swiftly to the incident. The alliance stressed that collective defense mechanisms had been activated to safeguard Polish security and the integrity of Euro-Atlantic airspace. This development was viewed as a practical reflection of NATO’s ongoing deterrence policies on its eastern flank.
Trump Says "Here We Go" - (Anadolu Agency)
At the international level, European countries expressed support for Poland, while the fragility of Europe’s security architecture resurfaced as an issue. Calls for joint cooperation on border security and air defense intensified. The violation was thus seen as a critical challenge not only to Poland but to all NATO allies.
Russia’s Statements
Moscow did not accept direct responsibility for the violation of Polish airspace. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a statement on September 11, characterized the accusations from Poland and other European countries as “nothing new,” rejecting claims that Russian drones had deliberately crossed Polish airspace.
Peskov added that the Russian Ministry of Defense had already made a statement on the matter and that Russia remained open to consultations if necessary, but he would make no further comment. He also described Warsaw’s rhetoric as a continuation of narratives frequently repeated across European capitals.
Moscow further highlighted that starting September 12, Russia and Belarus would conduct a joint military exercise near the Polish border. Peskov insisted that the exercise was not directed against any country, but was a planned event aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two allies.
