Poland said Wednesday it shot down drones that violated its airspace during Russia’s latest large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine, forcing the temporary closure of four airports and putting its armed forces on the highest state of alert.
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces claimed in a statement, “During today’s attack by the Russian Federation targeting Ukraine, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drones.”
“At the request of the operational commander, weapons have been used, and operations are under way to locate the downed targets”, the military said.
Polish and NATO aircraft were scrambled, while ground-based air defence and radar systems were moved to maximum readiness. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that “an operation is under way related to multiple violations of Polish airspace.”
Earlier, flights were suspended at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, Rzeszow–Jasionka Airport, Modlin Airport, and Lublin Airport, according to notices on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s website. The Polish military did not directly mention the closures.
Ukraine’s Air Force initially reported that Russian drones had crossed into Polish territory, posing a threat to the southeastern city of Zamosc. But the statement was later removed later. Overnight, much of Ukraine — including western border regions Volyn and Lviv — was under extended air raid alerts.
Border with Belarus to close amid Russian-led drills
Separately, Poland said it will close its border with Belarus from midnight Thursday due to Russian-Belarusian military exercises known as “Zapad-2025,” scheduled to begin Friday in western Russia and Belarus. The drills have raised alarm in NATO countries bordering Belarus — Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the border would reopen only when the government is sure “there is no more threat to Polish citizens.”
Belarus summoned Poland’s chargé d’affaires to protest the move, calling it “an abuse of geographical position” that “caused significant difficulties.” Its Foreign Ministry said the suspension reflected “an intention to conceal one’s own actions rather than any real threat from Belarus.”
Lithuania also announced it would tighten border security with both Belarus and Russia during the drills.