Poland downs hostile objects during Russian strikes on Ukraine
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Poland confirms it used military force to intercept unidentified aerial objects that entered its airspace during a major Russian assault on Ukraine, marking the first such military engagement by a NATO member since the Russia-Ukraine war began.
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A Russian Shahed-136 drone during an attack in Kiev, in October, 2023 (AFP)
Poland confirms that its military used weapons to down "hostile objects" that violated its airspace during a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on Wednesday, September 10, marking the first known instance of a NATO country engaging aerial targets amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
“Aircraft have used weapons against hostile objects,” Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on social media, noting that Poland was in "constant contact with NATO command."
Nad Polską trwa operacja neutralizacji obiektów, które naruszyły granicę RP. Prezydent i Premier zostali powiadomieni. Wszystkie służby działają. Prosimy o stosowanie się do komunikatów Wojska Polskiego i Policji. Samoloty użyły uzbrojenia przeciwko wrogim obiektom. Jesteśmy w…
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) September 10, 2025
In a post made roughly an hour later, the Polish defence minister stated, "Polish and allied radar systems tracked more than a dozen objects that violated airspace. Considering those that may have posed a threat, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces decided to neutralize them. The drones that posed a threat were shot down. Search efforts are underway to identify and identify the locations of possible impacts."
The incident occurred as Russia launched a widespread aerial assault across Ukraine, including the western city of Lviv, located 80 kilometers from the Polish border.
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NATO on alert as cross-border incursions escalate
Russian drones and missiles have reportedly previously crossed into NATO territory, including Poland, during the course of the war, but this marks the first time a member state has taken active military steps to shoot down incoming objects.
The operational command of Poland's military described the incursion as "unprecedented," reporting that approximately a dozen drone-like objects were detected, and several were shot down.
“This is an act of aggression that has created a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” the military command stated.
Warsaw labels violation as act of aggression
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that military assets were deployed and that weapons were used during the operation. He stated that a military response to “multiple violations” of Polish airspace was underway.
In response to the security breach, the Polish government announced an "extraordinary" cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 11, at 8:00 am local time (0600 GMT).
The incident raises new concerns about the escalating scope of the Russia-Ukraine war and its potential spillover effects into neighboring NATO territories.
Under NATO’s Article 5, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, a principle that has not yet been triggered.
On Tuesday, Poland's deputy prime minister stated that the central European nation will receive €43.7 billion ($51.3 billion) under an EU programme to boost its defense capabilities as Warsaw continues to strengthen its military amid increased militarization in Europe.
Read more: Russia vows response to EU limiting movements of diplomats
