Polish Defense Systems Activated after Drones Violate Airspace during Russian Attack

Poland announced today that drones linked to Russian strikes on Ukraine violated its airspace overnight, triggering the activation of national and allied defense systems.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, who cut short a visit to London, confirmed at a press conference that “Polish airspace was violated multiple times.” He said the Polish military and NATO partners engaged in coordinated operations throughout the night. The Royal Netherlands Air Force deployed F-35 fighters to assist Poland.

Radar systems tracked several drones and neutralized those assessed as threats. Search and rescue teams are locating debris.

Polish authorities urged citizens not to approach suspected fragments and to immediately notify police or emergency services.

The incident followed Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory. The Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin regions in Poland were most at risk.

Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had informed defense ministers from the E5 Group—Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy—and officials in Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The defense ministry confirmed allied air operations responding to the violations have ceased, but Polish forces remain on alert and continue monitoring Ukraine.

This comes one day after the European Commission allocated €43.7 billion from the SAFE program to Poland. The funding is designated for strengthening defense capabilities, including air and missile defense, artillery, drones, counter-drone systems, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The fund was created during Poland’s EU Council Presidency to strengthen Europe’s rearmament in response to Russia’s military expansion.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said the funds will strengthen the Poland’s air and missile defense, artillery, drones, counter-drone systems, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Strategic areas such as troop mobility and cybersecurity will also be supported.

The minister further emphasized that the SAFE program will accelerate Poland’s military transformation and enhance NATO’s eastern flank. He said the funding would cover both new acquisitions and refinancing of recent purchases, including artillery, missile defense systems, and equipment linked to the East Shield border protection initiative.