WARSAW, Poland — Polish military officials reported Wednesday that their fighter jets successfully intercepted several Russian drones that violated national airspace during overnight attacks targeting Ukraine.
Authorities said 19 drones entered Polish skies between late Tuesday and early Wednesday. F-16s, with support from NATO allies, destroyed at least eight. Wreckage was found in multiple locations, including Wyryki-Kolonia, where one drone struck a home. No injuries were reported.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incursion as a hostile act and requested urgent NATO consultations under Article 4. Flights at major airports, including Warsaw, Rzeszów, and Lublin, were temporarily suspended while the defensive operation was carried out.
NATO officials called the episode unprecedented, marking the first time allied forces directly confronted Russian equipment over member territory since the conflict began. Moscow denied intentionally targeting Poland, suggesting navigational errors caused the drones to stray.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the incident as a serious escalation and urged a firm international response. European leaders also condemned the incursion, with several advocating for tougher sanctions on Russia.
Recovery teams are gathering debris as investigations continue. Poland has bolstered aerial patrols and remains on heightened alert for further incursions.
