Poland intercepts Russian drones, becomes first NATO member to fire in Ukraine war

Poland intercepted drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian offensive in western Ukraine on September 10, marking the first instance of a NATO member firing in the conflict.

The government described the incursion as "an act of aggression," Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland’s airspace had been violated by a large number of Russian drones, adding that those posing a direct threat were shot down.

A NATO spokesperson confirmed that NATO chief Mark Rutte was in touch with Polish authorities and that the alliance was consulting closely with Warsaw.

Poland’s military command reported that drones repeatedly breached the country’s airspace during the Russian attack across the border, though operations against the violations have now concluded. "Radars tracked more than 10 objects, and those that could pose a threat were 'neutralised,'" the command said in a statement.

"Searches and efforts to locate the potential crash sites of these objects are ongoing," it added, expressing gratitude to NATO air command and the Dutch Air Force’s F-35 fighters for their assistance.

The command urged citizens to remain indoors, highlighting Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin as the most at-risk regions, stating: "This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens."

Russia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been briefed, CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins said on Tuesday, while the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NATO has yet to issue a statement.

Since the start of the war in 2022, Russian drones have occasionally entered the airspace of countries bordering Ukraine, including Poland and Romania, but previous incidents did not result in them being shot down. Officials have cited both the physical danger and the risk of escalating tensions with Russia as reasons for restraint.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched 415 drones and more than 40 missiles in attacks on Ukraine overnight, noting that at least eight drones "aimed toward Poland." He called the incident "an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe," adding: "A strong response is needed – and it can only be a joint response by all partners: Ukraine, Poland, all Europeans, the United States."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently rejected claims by Western European nations that Russia might target NATO members, describing them as attempts to portray the country as an adversary. Moscow maintains it has no intention of provoking a war with the U.S.-led military alliance.

By Aghakazim Guliyev