Warsaw: Poland has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following what it described as repeated violations of its airspace by Russian drones. The incident has heightened tensions on NATO’s eastern flank and sparked fears of deliberate provocations aimed at testing the alliance’s resolve.
On Wednesday, Polish air defenses shot down several unmanned aerial vehicles that authorities said crossed into Polish territory from the east. The incursions occurred near the country’s sensitive border zones with Belarus and Ukraine. Defense officials stressed that the drones posed both a military and civilian risk, underscoring the urgency of a coordinated response.
In the wake of the incident, Warsaw imposed new restrictions on drones and small aircraft in border regions, banning nighttime flights and requiring special identification for daytime operations. Commercial aviation at cruising altitudes remains unaffected, but the restrictions will remain in force until at least early December.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced that Poland had formally requested the UN Security Council to convene, warning that the attack marked an “unprecedented act against the sovereignty of a member of the UN, NATO, and the European Union.” Several allies, including France, Britain, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia, supported Poland’s call for the session, which diplomats say could take place within days.
President Karol Nawrocki said the drone intrusions were not accidental but part of a “calculated strategy” by Moscow to probe Poland’s defenses. He warned that the actions represented “a dangerous escalation” and called on the international community to hold Russia accountable.
NATO expressed strong solidarity with Poland, describing its actions as justified defense measures. This marked the first known instance in the ongoing conflict where a NATO member has shot down drones attributed to Russia. Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that Poland had also activated Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, seeking consultations with allies over the threat to its security.
Tusk described the moment as “the closest Europe has come to open confrontation since World War Two,” though he emphasized that Warsaw was not seeking war but was determined to protect its sovereignty.
Moscow, in response, downplayed the incident. A Kremlin spokesperson said Russia did not intend to target Poland, but offered no explanation for how drones crossed into Polish airspace. The statement did little to calm concerns in Warsaw, where officials warned that dismissing such actions only emboldens future aggression.
The drone incursions highlight a growing pattern of hybrid threats along NATO’s eastern borders, where disinformation, cyberattacks, and airspace violations have become increasingly frequent. Analysts warn that such tactics are designed to sow confusion, strain alliances, and test the limits of Western response without crossing directly into full-scale war.
As the UN prepares to debate Poland’s request, diplomats stress the stakes are high. A failure to act decisively, they warn, could embolden further provocations and undermine confidence in both NATO and international institutions tasked with safeguarding peace and security.