European foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas addressed an urgent debate in the European Parliament, calling it an unprovoked and reckless act by Russia. According to the statement, the incursion threatens the security of European citizens and the stability of the region. The EU promised to further tighten sanctions against Moscow and emphasized solidarity with Poland.
Polish radars detected dozens of drones in total. Some were destroyed over Polish territory, with support from NATO aircraft, including Dutch F-35s. Italian surveillance planes and a tanker aircraft were also part of the operation. The alliance thus deployed weapons against Russian aircraft for the first time.
According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the attack represents the most serious violation of airspace since World War II. As a result, Warsaw convened an emergency NATO meeting under Article 4 of the alliance treaty.
Debris was found in multiple locations. In the Lublin region, a damaged drone lay in a field; in Wyryki, a house was damaged by falling fragments from a downed drone. Two aircraft reportedly flew more than 100 kilometers deep into the country, past Gdansk and Warsaw.
The incident temporarily halted air traffic. Warsaw’s international airport and three other airports were closed for hours. Air defense was placed on the highest alert level. Most flights were able to resume later in the day, although delays persisted.
International leaders responded sharply. French President Macron called the attack unacceptable, and the President of the European Council described it as a threat to all Europeans. In the United States, lawmakers labeled the incident a “war crime.” Washington immediately deployed B-52 bombers to Europe as a deterrent signal.
Moscow meanwhile denied that the Russian drones deliberately entered NATO airspace. The Defense Ministry in Moscow stated that operations were solely aimed at Ukraine and accused Poland of provoking the incident. Warsaw and the EU, however, speak of a clear escalation that requires joint countermeasures.
The confrontation is described by those involved as the first direct military clash between Russia and NATO units in decades. Where previous violations went unpunished, this time there was intervention. This significantly raises the risk of further escalation, while the threat to all of Europe has become markedly tangible.