Merz: Russian drone attack on Poland exposes NATO air defence gaps

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the recent Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace exposed weaknesses in NATO’s air defence, describing the attack as a deliberate provocation by the Kremlin.

Merz noted that while NATO’s air defence systems responded, they were not sufficiently effective to prevent a significant breach of Poland’s borders, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Chancellor characterised the incident as part of a series of Russian provocations observed over recent months in the Baltic region and along NATO’s eastern flank. He stressed that the drone attack poses a serious threat to European security and confirms the deliberate nature of Moscow’s actions.

Merz also supported Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s assessment of the incursion as intentional, rejecting Kremlin claims that it was an “accident” or a mere “coincidence.”

On the night of September 10, 2025, several Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting Poland to activate its air defence systems. A total of 19 drones were detected, with four shot down. Wreckage was later found across multiple locations, including military and civilian areas.

The incident triggered NATO’s Article 4 consultations, allowing member states to discuss threats to territorial integrity and security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the Alliance’s response as effective, highlighting readiness to defend member states’ airspace.

Russia claimed the drones’ range did not exceed 700 km and denied targeting Poland, but analysts noted that the Gerbera drones were equipped with additional fuel tanks, enabling them to reach Polish territory.

By Vugar Khalilov