Poland was forced to shoot down Russian drones that entered its airspace overnight Wednesday — ominously warning that it brought Europe the “closest … to open conflict since World War Two.”
A person in protective gear carries debris from a Russian drone in Mnishkov, Poland. Anita Walczewska/East News/Shutterstock
Emergency personnel examining the Russian drone in Mnishkov, Poland. Anita Walczewska/East News/Shutterstock
General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, arrives for a meeting at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, on Sept. 10, 2025. REUTERSPolish and NATO-allied aircraft — including Dutch F-35 fighter jets — took to the skies late Wednesday to “help ensure safety in Polish skies” from the drones that crossed into its airspace during a wave of Russian attacks in western Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament that 19 objects entered the country’s airspace overnight, with several shot down, in what the military called an “unprecedented” threat.
Map locates areas of Poland where debris from drones was found.
“I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before,” he said.
A member of the Polish Army inspects a damaged house after Russian drones violated Polish airspace. REUTERS
Poland shot down drones that entered its airspace. Obtained by NYPost
Polish emergency personnel examining the wreckage of a Russian drone in Wohyn. WOJTEK JARGILO/EPA/Shutterstock“This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two,” he said.
“Therefore, allied consultations took the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the NATO Treaty,” Tusk said.
A map shows how the drones entered Poland’s airspace.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds an extraordinary government meeting at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, with military and emergency services officials, following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, in Warsaw, Poland, on Sept. 10, 2025. REUTERSArticle 4 states that members of the alliance will meet when any member country believes its territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.
NATO officials said they offered their support during the airspace intrusion and its 32 national envoys plan to meet to discuss the matter.
South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called the incursion “an act of war.”
“This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked aggression against free and productive nations,” the Republican congressman posted on X Tuesday night.
Explosions are seen in the night sky as Ukrainian servicemen fire towards drones during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Kyiv on Sept. 10, 2025. REUTERS
A picture of a drone shot down in Poland. Obtained by NYPost
The Ukrainian air defense fires at Russian drones above Kyiv during night mass drone and missile strikes on Ukraine on Sept. 10, 2025. AFP via Getty ImagesWilson urged President Trump “to respond with mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia.”
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion into Ukraine in 2022, Russia has repeatedly violated Polish airspace. However, there has been nothing on this scale either in Poland or in any other Western-allied country along the alliance’s eastern front.
“This is the first time NATO planes have engaged potential threats in Allied airspace,” said Col. Martin O’Donnell, of NATO’s Supreme Allied Powers Europe.
A Russian drone was shot down for entering Poland’s airspace. Obtained by NYPostDutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed on social media that Dutch F-35 fighter jets stationed in Poland under NATO provided support to the Polish air force overnight.
“Let me be clear: the violation of Polish airspace last night by Russian drones is unacceptable. It is further proof that the Russian war of aggression poses a threat to European security,” Shoof posted on X.
Loud noises were heard outside the southeastern Polish city of Zamosc, near Lublin, after the military engaged the drones. Grant Blaisdell via StoryfulGerman Patriot defense systems were also placed “on alert” and two Italian planes also responded, O’Donnell said.
NATO “is committed to defending every kilometer of NATO territory, including our airspace,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been briefed, CNN reported.
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