World leaders and NATO allies have reacted strongly to the overnight Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, calling it a major provocation against both Poland and the broader European security framework.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the breach as a “large-scale provocation” aimed not just at Warsaw but the entire European Union and NATO.
“Last night we experienced a violation of Polish airspace by a significant number of Russian drones,” Tusk told reporters ahead of an emergency government meeting. “This was a large-scale provocation.”
He later added that there were 19 drone intrusions into Polish airspace overnight, with many of the UAVs entering from Belarus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed for an integrated air defense system with Kyiv’s European allies, accusing Russia of “deliberately targeting” Poland.
He described the breach as a “dangerous precedent” for Europe and said it was “no accident.”
“Ukraine has long proposed to its partners the creation of a joint air defense system to ensure the guaranteed downing of Shaheds, other drones, and missiles through the combined strength of our combat aviation and air defences,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
He urged Kyiv’s allies to issue a strong response, calling the attack an attempt to “humiliate” EU and NATO member Poland.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the incident appeared deliberate.
“We saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental,” she wrote on X, pledging that “the EU stands in full solidarity with Poland.”
Last night in Poland, we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) September 10, 2025
I am in contact with @SecGenNATO and @radeksikorski.
The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. (1/2)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the breach as “reckless and unprecedented,” telling lawmakers in Strasbourg that “more than 10 Russian Shahed drones” crossed into Poland, according to an AFP report.
NATO confirmed that its air defenses had engaged the drones alongside Polish forces. “Numerous drones entered Polish airspace overnight and were met with Polish and NATO air defenses,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on X.
She added that Secretary-General Mark Rutte had been in touch with Polish leaders and that ambassadors were set to discuss the incident at a meeting on Wednesday morning.
Numerous drones entered Polish airspace overnight and were met with Polish and NATO air defences. @SecGenNATO is in touch with Polish leadership and @NATO is consulting closely with Poland 🇵🇱
— NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) September 10, 2025
The Netherlands said its warplanes participated in the response. “It is good that Dutch F-35 fighter jets were able to provide support,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X.
“The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with our NATO ally Poland.”
I just met with the relevant cabinet members, the Chief of Defence @CDS_Defensie and the security services to discuss the situation in Poland. We are monitoring developments closely.
— Dick Schoof (@MinPres) September 10, 2025
Let me be clear: last night’s violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones is unacceptable. It…
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in, calling the incursion “simply unacceptable.” He urged Moscow to halt what he described as “reckless behavior.”
The incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace during an attack carried out by Russia against Ukraine is simply unacceptable. I condemn it in the strongest terms. I call on Russia to put an end to this reckless escalation. I reiterate to the Polish people and their…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 10, 2025
The overnight breach marks one of the gravest escalations involving NATO territory since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Poland confirmed on Wednesday that its air force had scrambled jets with NATO allies and used weapons against “hostile objects” that crossed into its airspace.
Poland temporarily closed at least four airports, including Rzeszów, Lublin, Warsaw, and Modlin, along with the surrounding airspace. The Podlaskie, Masovian, and Lublin voivodeships were reported to be at greatest risk.
A Ukrainian monitoring channel linked to a government official Nikolaevsky Vanek noted that more than 10 drones crossed into Poland and did not return – an unparalleled occurrence.
