Poland shut down its main airport in Warsaw and scrambled fighter jets late after reports that Russian drones linked to the war in Ukraine had entered its airspace. The incident, which prompted coordination with NATO allies, sparked immediate concerns about security in the region. Ukraine’s air force had earlier warned that Russian drones may have crossed into Polish territory, threatening the city of Zamosc near the border.
In response, Poland’s armed forces raised their defence posture, saying that Polish and allied aircraft were active in the skies while ground-based air defence and radar systems were on maximum alert. The country hosts key U.S. and NATO military installations and has long served as a frontline buffer between Russia and Western Europe, making the incident especially sensitive.
The scare unfolded as Russia carried out an intense wave of overnight drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. Air raid alerts lasted for several hours, including in western regions such as Volyn and Lviv near the Polish border, highlighting the spillover risks of the ongoing conflict.
