Poland finds seven drones, parts of one missile following Russian attack: PM Tusk labels it “large-scale provocation”

Polish Armed Forces’ Operational Command reported this.

Polish government spokesman Adam Szłapka said Prime Minister Donald Tusk is meeting with security ministers this morning. At 9 a.m. Kyiv time, he convened an emergency cabinet meeting.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported at 8:42 a.m. that the drone interception operation had concluded. Military personnel are currently searching for the likely crash sites. NATO and Dutch aircraft assisted Warsaw in the operation, with F-16 fighter jets, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS surveillance planes, and NATO-operated air refueling aircraft all participating, according to Reuters.

Later in the day, the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that seven drones had been recovered on Polish territory, along with fragments of one missile, Sky News reports.

PM Tusk calls drone incursions “large-scale provocation” by Russia

During an extraordinary government meeting, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the nighttime drone incursions as a “large-scale provocation” by Russia. He emphasized that there is no reason to panic and that the situation is under control, according to the BBC.

“This is the first time Russian drones have been shot down over the territory of a Nato country. All our allies are taking the situation very seriously. We have not recorded any casualties,” Tusk said, noting that a “huge” number of UAVs had violated the airspace.

According to Sky News, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that 19 “incursions” into Polish airspace were recorded overnight, with four drones shot down. He noted that a significant number of the drones entered from Belarus.

Meanwhile, the Polish outlet Rz cited their sources, suggesting that the total number of drones involved may have been as high as 23.

At the same time, a NATO source told Reuters that the alliance does not consider the incident in Poland to be an attack. 

“It was the first time Nato aircraft have engaged potential threats allied airspace,” the source added.

Poland shoots down drones

“Note that during today’s attack by the Russian Federation, which is striking targets located on the territory of Ukraine, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects. An operation is underway to identify and neutralize the objects,” the statement said.

It was specified that the commander of the operational staff ordered the use of weapons, and the relevant services are searching for the downed objects.

The Operational Command stressed at the time that the military operation continues and urged citizens to stay at home. The greatest danger exists for the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin voivodeships.

“The Operational Command is monitoring the current situation, and the subordinate forces and assets remain in full readiness for immediate response,” the agency added.

Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk wrote on social network X that as of 04:51 a.m., an operation was underway over Poland to neutralize objects that had violated and crossed the country’s border. He added that the Polish president and prime minister had been informed of the situation.

Later, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the violation of Poland’s airspace.

“An operation is underway in connection with numerous violations of Polish airspace. The military used weapons against the targets. I am in constant contact with the president and the defense minister. I received a direct report from the operational commander,” he wrote on X.

At 06:50 a.m., Tusk reported that he had received a briefing from the armed forces’ operational commander regarding the downing of drones that had intruded into Poland’s airspace and could have posed a threat. The operation was ongoing.

Soon after, the Polish prime minister informed the NATO secretary general about the current situation and the measures taken by Warsaw.

In a comment to CNN, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he had been briefed on reports of Russian drones over Poland.

CNN, citing the NOTAMS aviation information website, reported that Poland closed the airspace over Warsaw’s Chopin Airport. The reason was listed as “unscheduled military activity related to ensuring national security.”

In addition, airspace was closed over Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland and the airport in Lublin.

Nawrocki’s statement

Polish President Karol Nawrocki is in communication with the head of government, the deputy prime minister, the defense minister, and armed forces representatives regarding the violation of the country’s airspace by Russian drones.

“I attended a briefing by the Armed Forces Operational Command. I will soon hold a briefing at the National Security Bureau, attended by the head of government. The security of our homeland is the highest priority and requires close cooperation,” he wrote.

Background

Earlier, the Polish Operational Command posted a statement on X about putting aviation and air defense on highest alert.

“Attention: during the night of September 10, 2025, the Russian Federation will launch another series of massive strikes on targets located in Ukraine. To ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures. Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest level of readiness. These measures are preventive and aimed at ensuring the security of our airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threat zone,” the Polish defense ministry stated.

Around 1 a.m., the Ukrainian Air Forces reported Russian drones approaching the state border with Poland.

The publication Ukrainska Pravda reported that Russian drones had entered Polish territory, but later the Ukrainian Air Forces edited their statement and removed the mention of this fact.

Unofficial monitoring channels were flooded with reports and images of Russian drones in Poland.

• On Tuesday evening, September 9, the Russian occupying army launched attack drones against Ukraine.