“Shaheeds” crossed the Polish border: Warsaw activated air defenses, introduced aviation restrictions
Фото: з відкритих джерел
On the night of September 9-10, the situation in Eastern Europe escalated again – Russia launched a massive strike on the territory of Ukraine, while a number of enemy drones crossed the air border of Poland. This forced Warsaw to activate air defense forces and engage aviation.
This is reported by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
During the Russian air attack targeting targets in various regions of Ukraine, the Polish military recorded repeated incursions of unidentified drones into its airspace. In response, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced an increased level of combat readiness for all units responsible for air security.
The message stated that an operation to identify and neutralize potentially hostile objects is currently underway within the country. On the instructions of the command, the use of weapons to neutralize targets was authorized. The search for the wreckage of downed drones is also ongoing.
Particular attention is being paid to the eastern regions of the country. The highest level of threat has been declared for the Podlaskie, Masovian and Lublin voivodeships. The authorities have urged residents to refrain from traveling and stay in safe places until the operation is completed.
“The situation is under control, but remains dynamic. All forces are in full combat readiness and ready for immediate response,” the Polish military command emphasized.
At around 4:50 a.m. local time, Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said that a military operation to identify and neutralize objects in the air was ongoing. He also noted that the president and prime minister had already been informed of the situation.
Shortly after, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, confirmed the violation of airspace. According to him, the Polish military opened fire on threatening targets. The head of government assured that he was constantly in touch with the head of state and the Minister of Defense.
At 06:50, Tusk announced that he had received a detailed report from the commander of the armed forces on the progress of the operation to shoot down enemy drones that posed a security threat.
After receiving the first-hand information about the drone incursion into the airspace, the Polish side transmitted the relevant information to the NATO Secretary General. The United States was also informed about the situation: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a comment to CNN that Washington has all the necessary details regarding the incident.
Flights at a number of airports were temporarily restricted due to the air threat. According to the NOTAMS service, Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Airport was suspended due to “unscheduled military activity related to national security.”
Similar restrictions were in effect in the southeastern region — at Rzeszów-Jasionka and Lublin airports.
Even before the Polish side reported the drone incursion, the Ukrainian Air Force recorded the approach of Russian drones to the border with Poland at around 1 a.m., warning allies about a possible crossing of airspace.
Amid the worsening security situation and the detection of Russian drone flights in Polish airspace, the authorities have announced the accelerated mobilization of territorial defense reserves, Reuters reports.
According to the decision of the Polish command, in four voivodeships, reservists must arrive at the assembly point no later than 6 hours after receiving the notification. In another six regions of the country, this period is up to 12 hours.
The operational regime for calling up reservists was introduced to strengthen internal security and preparedness for possible provocations or escalation from Russia.
As a reminder, Poland announced the complete closure of its borders with Belarus the day before. The reason was the large-scale joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises “West-2025”, which Warsaw views as a potential security threat.
As reported, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that on the night of August 20, a new violation of Polish airspace occurred. A “Shahed” flew into the country’s territory.
In addition, on the night of August 20 , an explosion occurred in a field in the village of Osyny, in the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland. The incident occurred at around 2:20–2:30 a.m. near a cornfield in Łuków County.
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