Poland’s deputy prime minister has accused Russia of deliberately targeting NATO territory with drones in a calculated provocation designed to mock President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker peace in Ukraine.
Radek Sikorski dismissed the Kremlin’s “lies and denials” after 19 Russian drones violated Polish airspace on Wednesday, with NATO and Polish forces shooting down at least four in the first direct military engagement between the alliance and Russian assets since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine began.
“Poland’s airspace was breached 19 times by drones manufactured in Russia,” Sikorski said yesterday. The assessment of Polish and NATO air forces is that they did not veer off course but were targeted.
He added pointedly: “The Kremlin is again mocking President Trump’s peace efforts.”
First NATO Engagement with Russian Forces
The unprecedented incident saw Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35 fighters scramble to intercept the swarm of Russian drones that crossed into Polish territory during a massive overnight assault on Ukraine. Three drones were shot down whilst others crashed near Poland’s borders with Ukraine and Belarus in the east of the country.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the violation “an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens” and confirmed this marked the first time NATO forces have engaged Russian military assets since the war began.
“This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II,” Tusk warned, announcing that Poland would invoke NATO’s Article 4, calling for urgent consultations within the alliance over the security threat.
Deliberate Provocation Using Polish SIM Cards
Intelligence sources have revealed that Russia has been using Polish and Lithuanian SIM cards in its drones, allowing them to connect to mobile masts for navigation within NATO countries – a clear indication of premeditation.
When questioned about whether the incursion was accidental, Sikorski was unequivocal: “When one or two drones does it, it is possible that it was a technical malfunction. In this case, there were 19 breaches and it simply defies imagination that that could be accidental.”
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda backed this assessment, warning that Moscow was “deliberately expanding its aggression.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said eight drones had been “aimed toward” Poland, calling it “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”
European Leaders Unite in Condemnation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared there was “no evidence” the incursion was accidental, calling it “a deliberate injury of international law” and pledging to “stand firmly alongside” Poland. He added that Russia has been “deliberately testing our solidarity, determination and response speed” with similar attacks daily in Baltic airspace.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described it as “the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began,” adding: “Indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.” She later called it a “game changer” demanding “a very strong response.
British Defence Secretary John Healey branded it “a new level of hostility against Europe” and said he had asked UK armed forces to “look at options to bolster NATO’s air defence over Poland.
Residential Building Struck
One of the Russian drones struck a residential building in Wyryki-Wola in eastern Poland, destroying the roof of the family home. Whilst no casualties were reported, the direct hit on civilian property escalated concerns about the threat to Polish citizens.
Mayor of Wyryki told state television TVP Info that residents were traumatised by the attack, with police discovering drone debris scattered across multiple villages including Czosnówka and Cześniki.
The locations of drones and debris spanned hundreds of square miles across Poland, from the eastern border regions to central Poland near Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą and even northern Poland near Oleśno.
Trump Responds to Crisis
President Trump reacted to the incursion on Truth Social, writing: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!” The White House confirmed Trump would speak with Polish President Karol Nawrocki about the crisis.
The attack comes as Trump has been attempting to broker peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, efforts that now appear to be deliberately undermined by Moscow’s escalation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CNN he had been briefed on the Russian drones whilst leaving a dinner with Trump, as the administration scrambled to respond to the provocation.
NATO’s Rapid Response
NATO demonstrated its collective defence capabilities with a coordinated response involving multiple member states. Dutch F-35s, originally stationed in Estonia, shot down the majority of the drones, whilst Italian AWACS surveillance aircraft provided real-time intelligence and German Patriot missile systems were placed on high alert.
NATO Commander for Europe, General Alexus G. Grynkewich, praised the response: “NATO responded quickly and decisively to the situation, demonstrating our capability and resolve to defend Allied territory.”
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker pledged: “We stand by our NATO allies in the face of these airspace violations and will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Zelensky Demands Stronger Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western leaders to send a firm message to Putin, stating: “Only united European forces can give real protection. Unfortunately, so far, Russia has not yet faced a tough reaction from global leaders.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga warned: “Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West. The longer he faces no strength in response, the more aggressive he gets.”
The incident occurred as Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine, with the barrage killing 24 civilians in the village of Yarova in eastern Donetsk.
Kremlin Denies Responsibility
The Kremlin attempted to distance itself from the incident, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissing the accusations as “groundless” and claiming Russia had not received any requests for contact from Poland’s leadership.
Russia’s Defence Ministry insisted its “massive strike” only targeted locations within Ukraine, stating “there were no targets envisioned for destruction on Polish territory.”
However, these denials have been universally rejected by NATO members and European leaders, who view the coordinated drone incursion as a deliberate test of Western resolve.
Poland Demands Action
Prime Minister Tusk addressed parliament with a stark warning: “Today we must say very loudly and clearly to the entire Western world and all our allies — Article 4 is only the beginning of deeper cooperation for the security of our skies and our border, which is NATO’s border, and words alone are by no means enough.”
Poland has closed its eastern border crossings and placed its military on the highest state of alert. Warsaw International Airport was temporarily closed during the incident but has since reopened.
The attack coincides with Russia’s Zapad-2025 military exercises with Belarus, scheduled for September 12-16, raising further concerns about Moscow’s intentions along NATO’s eastern flank.
As the manhunt continues for Charlie Kirk’s assassin and American campuses remain on edge, this deliberate provocation by Russia adds another dangerous dimension to an already volatile international situation, with Putin appearing determined to test Western resolve at every opportunity.
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Image Credit:
Vladimir Putin, G20 Summit in Hamburg (8 July 2017) — photo by Пресс-служба Президента Российской Федерации (Presidential Press Service of the Russian Federation via Kremlin.ru), CC BY 4.0
