Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Western allies to urgently reconsider their approach to air defense following the intrusion of Russian-launched drones into Polish airspace earlier this week. Speaking alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Kyiv, the Ukrainian leader warned that the latest breach highlights serious vulnerabilities across Europe’s skies, and that current systems are not adequately equipped to deal with the new generation of aerial threats.
The incident in Poland saw several drones cross into NATO territory, a move Warsaw denounced as a calculated provocation by Moscow. Polish forces, backed by NATO assistance, intercepted and destroyed the drones, but the episode raised alarm about both the frequency and the sophistication of Russia’s drone operations. For Zelenskiy, the incident underscored how the war in Ukraine is spilling beyond its borders, threatening the wider security architecture of Europe.
In his remarks, Zelenskiy made a blunt assessment of the problem facing European defenses. “No one in the world has enough missiles to shoot down all different types of drones,” he said, stressing that traditional air defense, heavily reliant on costly interceptors, is unsustainable against the flood of low-cost, expendable drones Russia has been deploying. The mismatch, he argued, puts NATO states at risk and demands a new, more layered strategy.
Ukraine, which has been at the frontline of Russia’s drone and missile barrages, has developed improvisational tactics that combine high-tech systems with lower-cost counter-drone tools. Zelenskiy offered Ukraine’s experience as a blueprint for allies, suggesting that shared training and cooperation could help NATO countries adapt faster. To this end, Poland announced it will send military representatives to Ukraine to learn counter-drone methods directly from Ukrainian forces.
For Poland, the intrusion is not just a security breach but also a direct test of NATO’s resolve. Warsaw has been on high alert since the war began and has repeatedly warned allies about the potential for spillover. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as proof of “Russia’s willingness to escalate in unpredictable ways,” stressing that Poland would work closely with Ukraine and NATO partners to adapt its defense posture.
The drone incursion is part of a broader shift in modern warfare, where cheap, small, and easily produced unmanned systems can challenge billion-dollar defense networks. Military analysts warn that Russia’s tactics are designed to drain resources, overwhelm radars, and exploit gaps in coverage. For NATO, this means investing not only in advanced systems like Patriot or NASAMS but also in electronic warfare, jamming equipment, early-warning systems, and affordable anti-drone defenses.
Despite the tense backdrop, Zelenskiy expressed confidence that the crisis could lead to stronger cooperation and innovation. “This is not just Ukraine’s war it is about the security of every family in Europe,” he said, urging partners to “rethink, redesign, and reinforce” air defense so that Europe can meet the challenges of tomorrow.