Poland Scrambles Military Jets Over Drone Threat At Ukraine Border, Airport Closed

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 21:55 IST

Tensions escalated after 19 Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week. Condemning the “reckless” act, NATO announced a new defence mission for its eastern flank.

Police and army inspect damage to a house destroyed by debris from a shot down Russian drone in Poland. (AFP)

Poland on Saturday scrambled military jets over a suspected drone threat at the Ukraine border, days after tensions skyrocketed after Russian drones breached Polish airspace this week. Air defence systems have been put on high alert, and the airport in the eastern city of Lublin was closed.

The Polish Armed Forces announced military operations due to the threat of UAV strikes in regions of Ukraine bordering Poland. “To ensure the safety of our airspace, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures. Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,” it said.

“These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing the airspace and protecting citizens, particularly in areas adjacent to the threatened region,” the Polish military further said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also posted that “preventive air operations” had begun in Polish airspace because of the threat posed by Russian drones operating over nearby areas of Ukraine. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said that Lublin Airport was closed to air traffic “due to military aviation activities.”

An emergency alert was issued to residents in eastern Poland. “WARNING! Threat of an air attack. Exercise special caution. Follow the instructions of the authorities. Await further announcements,” read the message.

‘Putin’s War Against Poland’: Zelenskyy

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the latest drone threat an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe”, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin has waged a war against Poland. “Russian drones can cover much greater distances. I call on our partners to stop making excuses: why not impose sanctions?” he said, adding that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Poland is because of Putin.

On September 10, Poland and its NATO allies scrambled jets to shoot down Russian drones violating its airspace, marking the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that such an event occurred. At least 19 Russian drones were recorded crossing into Polish territory, an act European officials interpret as a deliberate test of NATO’s resolve.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk denounced the violation as an “attack.” Even though Russia denied targeting Poland, Warsaw and its allies warned Moscow to avoid further “provocations.”

“Russia’s reckless actions represent not only a breach of international law but also a destabilising escalation that brings the entire region closer to conflict than at any time in recent years,” Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki read from a statement signed by about 40 countries, including the 26 other members of the European Union, Ukraine, the United States, Japan and Canada.

NATO To Boost Security

NATO chief Mark Rutte called the incursion a “dangerous and unacceptable” breach and said that the alliance will boost defence of its entire eastern flank, stretching from the Arctic to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. “NATO is launching Eastern Sentry to bolster our posture even further along our eastern flank,” he told a news conference on Friday.

ALSO READ: How Does NATO Plan To Deter Russia? Operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ Explained

“This military activity will commence in the coming days and will involve a range of assets from allies, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany,” he added. This came after France and Germany already pledged support to Poland in response to the Russian incursions.

Poland boosted its security on Thursday, closing air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine to civilian flights up to an altitude of three kilometres (1.9 miles) until December 9. It had already boosted security to cope with the Russia-Belarus military drills.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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