WARSAW, Poland — Polish warplanes intercepted a wave of Russian drones that crossed into the country’s skies during overnight strikes on Ukraine, the government announced Wednesday.
According to officials, 19 drones penetrated Polish airspace between late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Polish F-16s, backed by NATO allies, destroyed at least eight of them. Wreckage was discovered in several areas, including the village of Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone struck a house. No injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the breach as a hostile act and called for urgent NATO discussions under Article 4. During the interceptions, flights at Warsaw Chopin, Rzeszów-Jasionka, and other airports were suspended.
NATO described the confrontation as a watershed moment, noting it was the first time allied forces had directly engaged Russian equipment in European airspace since the conflict began. Moscow denied intentionally targeting Poland, claiming the drones may have veered off course.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled the episode a dangerous escalation and urged Western governments to respond firmly. European leaders echoed the condemnation, with some advocating tighter sanctions against Russia.
Investigators continue to collect debris and analyze the incident. Polish forces have stepped up aerial patrols, and authorities remain on heightened alert for further incursions.
