Warsaw, Polish airspace was breached overnight by a large number of Russian Shahed drones, prompting a swift military response from Poland and its NATO allies. The incident occurred during a major Russian aerial assault on Ukraine, raising alarm across Europe.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that drones posing a direct threat were shot down by Polish and allied fighter jets, including Dutch F-35s deployed under NATO’s air policing mission. No casualties were reported, but several regions including Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin were placed on high alert.

The Polish Armed Forces described the violation as “unprecedented” and “an act of aggression” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the incursion, while European leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen expressed full solidarity with Poland.

The incident marks the first direct engagement of Russian assets over NATO territory since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. Poland’s defense systems, including German Patriot missiles and Italian surveillance aircraft, were activated to secure the skies.