WARSAW, Poland — Polish officials announced Wednesday that military aircraft intercepted and destroyed several Russian drones that entered the country’s airspace during the night amid Moscow’s latest barrage against Ukraine.
The defense ministry reported that 19 drones crossed into Poland between late Tuesday and early Wednesday. At least eight were downed by F-16 fighters with support from NATO allies. Wreckage was found in a number of areas, including Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone hit a residential building. No injuries were recorded.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the intrusion as an intentional act of aggression and requested urgent consultations with NATO under Article 4. As the interceptions unfolded, airports in Warsaw, Rzeszów, and Lublin were briefly shut down.
NATO officials called the incident unprecedented, pointing out it was the first direct encounter between allied defenses and Russian hardware in European skies since the conflict began. Moscow rejected claims it had targeted Poland, attributing the drones’ route to technical faults.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the breach underscored the danger of escalation and pressed allies to take decisive measures. European leaders also denounced the episode, with several urging expanded sanctions against Russia.
Recovery teams continue to collect fragments as investigations proceed. Polish forces have stepped up patrols and remain on heightened alert to guard against further violations.
