Poland scrambled aircrafts on Wednesday to shoot down “hostile objects” violating its airspace during a Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine, marking a significant first for a NATO country during the ongoing conflict. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the action on social media, stating, “Aircraft have used weapons against hostile objects,” emphasizing that Poland remains in constant contact with NATO command.
Unprecedented Incursions
The incursion occurred as Russia launched a barrage of strikes across Ukraine, particularly targeting the western city of Lviv, located about 80 kilometers from the Polish border. Although Russian drones and missiles have entered NATO airspace multiple times during the three-and-a-half-year war, no NATO country had previously attempted to shoot them down. The principle of collective defense remains a cornerstone of the Western military alliance, asserting that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
However, Poland’s military operational command condemned the “unprecedented” airspace violations, as they reported spotting around a dozen drone-type objects and successfully downing several of them. “This is an act of aggression that has created a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” the command stated.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the use of weapons against the invading objects, announcing on social media that an “operation related to multiple violations of Polish airspace is underway.” In response to the situation, the Polish government scheduled an “extraordinary” cabinet meeting.
Moreover, authorities also closed airspace over parts of the country, with Warsaw’s main Chopin Airport issuing a statement halting flights due to the ongoing operation.
Rising Tensions with Russia
This operation follows recent warnings from Poland’s newly elected nationalist President Karol Nawrocki, who expressed concerns that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is poised to invade more countries after initiating the war in Ukraine. “We do not trust Vladimir Putin’s good intentions,” Nawrocki stated during a press conference in Helsinki, adding, “We believe that Vladimir Putin is ready to also invade other countries.”
As a NATO member and a major supporter of Ukraine, Poland hosts over a million Ukrainian refugees, and it also serves as a crucial transit point for Western humanitarian and military aid to the war-torn nation.
Last month, Poland reported that a Russian military drone entered its airspace and exploded in farmland in eastern Poland, with officials labeling the incident a “provocation.” In 2023, Poland also stated that a Russian missile had crossed into its airspace to strike Ukraine. Additionally, in November 2022, two civilians lost their lives when a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile fell on a village near the border.
As tensions escalate, Poland’s decisive actions underscore its commitment to safeguarding its airspace and supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
