Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones Over Airspace; Closest To Open Conflict Since World War II

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

WARSAW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Poland’s government said Wednesday it was forced to shoot down suspected Russian drones over its territory in what officials called the nation’s closest step toward armed conflict since World War II, raising alarm across Europe and beyond.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s spokesperson confirmed that he is expected to hold urgent talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski described the incident as an “unprecedented” attack, warning that the drone incursions were a “threat to all” of the European Union and the NATO military alliance. He rejected suggestions that the drones had strayed into Polish territory by accident.

“As you know, Russian drones have veered into Polish airspace before, and not only drones, but also cruise missiles. One of them, during this war, landed 10 kilometers (6 miles) from my house,” Sikorski told reporters. “When one or two drones does it, it is possible that it was a technical malfunction, but in this case, there were 19 breaches, and it simply defies imagination that could be accidental.”

Poland’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Warsaw to protest the incident. The Russian envoy reportedly refused to acknowledge that the drones were Russian.

Warsaw has also formally invoked NATO’s Article 4, which calls for urgent consultations with allies when a member perceives a direct threat to its territorial integrity or security.

NO CASUALTIES REPORTED

Authorities stressed there were no reports of casualties, though debris from downed drones fell in several areas, raising concerns among residents in eastern Poland.

Local officials said the incident highlighted the vulnerability of border communities living in the shadow of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Footage has emerged, apparently showing the Polish military shooting down a Russian attack drone over eastern Poland.

Preliminary reports indicate the video Worthy News reviewed was taken in the village of Cześniki, about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) east of the city of Zamość and roughly 88 kilometers (55 miles) southeast of Lublin, the regional capital.

It lies close to Poland’s eastern border with war-torn Ukraine, in a rural area with farmland and small settlements.

It was one of at least 19 drones violating Polish airspace, the government said, prompting emergency consultations with the United States and other allies. Western officials say Moscow is testing Europe’s resolve with the drone incident.

‘GRAVE CONCERN’

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance monitored the situation with “grave concern” and vowed that allies “stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland.”

French President Emmanuel Macron called the incursion “a deliberate provocation that tests NATO unity.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London “unequivocally supports Poland’s right to defend its airspace,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged that Rome would back “firm and proportionate measures.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Poland’s response, warning that “Russia’s aggression does not stop at Ukraine’s borders — it threatens all of Europe.”

Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said the attack was “a wake-up call for NATO” and urged stronger air defense coordination across the alliance’s eastern flank.

US REACTION

The White House said it was in close contact with Warsaw.

A senior official emphasized that “an attack on one NATO ally is considered an attack on all,” though Washington stressed consultations were ongoing before any direct military response.

The Russian Foreign Ministry denied responsibility, calling the accusations “baseless and provocative.” Moscow suggested the drones may have been Ukrainian or the result of technical failures, and accused Warsaw of “escalating tensions to draw NATO deeper into the conflict.”

HUNGARY CRITICIZED

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, long seen as one of Europe’s most pro-Russia leaders, declared Hungary’s solidarity with Poland.

He called the incursion “unacceptable,” but added that the incident reaffirmed his view that “our policy of calling for peace … is reasonable and rational.”

“Living in the shadow of a war is fraught with risks and dangers. It’s time to make it stop! To this end, we support the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump aimed at achieving peace,” he said on social media.

Responding to his post, Sikorski said:

“No, Victor [sic!]. The incident proves you should get off the fence and condemn Russian aggression.”

He added: “We ask you to unblock the disbursement of EU funds for defence, approve tougher sanctions on the aggressor and withdraw your veto on starting Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.”

The incident underscores fears of a broader confrontation as Russia’s war in Ukraine spills over into NATO territory.

Officials in Warsaw said it marked the most dangerous moment for Europe since World War II.

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