Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said early Wednesday that his country downed a “huge number” of Russian drones that breached Poland’s airspace overnight.
“Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down,” Tusk wrote in a post on social platform X. “I am in constant communication with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies.”
The announcement comes after the Polish Armed Forces shared Tuesday that the airspace was “repeatedly violated’ by drone-like objects during a Russian attack on Ukraine. The military cautioned residents against leaving their homes as it worked to intercept the alleged drones.
“My thanks and congratulations to the Polish Operational Command and our NATO pilots for shooting down Russian drones over Poland. Actions speak louder than words,” Tusk posted to X later Wednesday.
A NATO spokesperson also confirmed that “numerous” drones were spotted and that the alliance is discussing how to respond.
Russia, when reached out to by The Associated Press, refused to comment. Belarus, according to the news wire, suggested some drones may have gone off course due to jamming and were not likely targeting Poland.
“Whether it was intentional or not it is absolutely reckless,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
When asked if the alliance needs to do better to protect its members against drones, Rutte defended the overnight response.
“I think what we have seen last night was a very successful reaction by NATO and Allies, including of course, Poland itself, but also the Dutch and the Italians and the Germans, everybody involved. And I’m really impressed,” he said. “So of course, we always have to make sure that we are one step ahead.”
“But I think last night showed that we are able to defend every inch of NATO territory including, of course, its airspace,” the NATO chief added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said Wednesday that his military has kept Poland informed about the “movement” of Russian drones — as the war in the region inches closer to four years.
“At around 00:50 Kyiv time, the first crossing of the state border between Ukraine and Poland by a Russian drone was recorded,” he wrote on X. “At least two Russian drones that entered Polish territory during the night used Belarusian airspace.”
He added, “In total, at least several dozen Russian drones were moving along the border of Ukraine and Belarus and across western regions of Ukraine, approaching targets on Ukrainian territory and, apparently, on Polish territory.”
