Polish forces neutralize unauthorized aircraft during aerial violation, as Russian aggression intensifies in Ukraine | Defense Updates

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reports military defences activated following ‘repeated breaches of Polish airspace’.

Poland has downed drones within its territory in response to several incursions into its airspace during a Russian military operation targeting Ukraine, as stated by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.

“During the Russian attack on Ukraine today, there were multiple violations of our airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles,” the Polish command announced early Wednesday.

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“At the directive of the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, weapons were deployed to neutralize the targets, and efforts are ongoing to locate the downed drones,” the military added.

Both Polish and NATO forces have been activated to secure the airspace.

“Polish and allied aircraft are patrolling our skies, while surface-to-air defenses and radar systems are on the highest alert status,” the operational command said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk affirmed that “efforts are in progress regarding the numerous breaches of Polish airspace.”

An operation is ongoing due to multiple incursions into Polish airspace. Military assets have been used against the targets. I maintain direct contact with the President and the Minister of Defence. I received a personal briefing from the operational commander.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 10, 2025

Translation: An operation is in progress concerning numerous incursions into Polish airspace. The military has used weaponry against the targets. I am in constant contact with the President and the Minister of Defence. I received a direct report from the operational commander.

Earlier, it was announced that four airports in Poland, including the major Chopin airport in Warsaw, were closed due to military operations.

According to advisories on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s website, the other airports affected were Rzeszow–Jasionka airport, Warsaw Modlin airport, and Lublin airport. The Polish military did not comment on the airport closures.

Poland’s military response came after Ukraine’s Air Force announced that Russian drones had entered Polish airspace, possibly threatening the city of Zamosc, though this announcement was later removed from its Telegram channel.

Significant regions in Ukraine, among them parts of Volyn and Lviv, bordering Poland, were under air raid alerts for several hours overnight, per Ukraine’s Air Force.

Poland had previously announced plans to close its border with Belarus at midnight local time Thursday (22:00 GMT, Wednesday) preceding Russian-led military exercises in Belarus.

Russia and Belarus are set to conduct large-scale military exercises known as the “Zapad” drills, which have raised security concerns among neighboring NATO states Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The “Zapad-2025” drills will commence in western Russia and Belarus on Friday.

When asked about the border closure duration, Polish Minister of Interior Marcin Kierwinski stated it would reopen once the government was assured there was “no further threat to Polish citizens.”

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Polish charge d’affaires to protest the closure, citing significant hardships caused by the measure.

It views Poland’s move as “an abuse of its geographic position,” arguing that the temporary suspension of passage suggests a cover for Poland’s own actions rather than a threat from Belarus.

Lithuania’s border guards have announced reinforced protection along its border with Belarus and Russia due to the exercises.