Poland has placed its air defense forces on high alert following reports that Russian drones entered its airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine.
“The Operational Command of the Armed Forces is observing intense activity of the Russian Federation’s long-range aviation tonight, related to air and missile strikes on targets located in the territory of Ukraine,” the operational command of the Polish armed forces wrote on X. “All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been activated, and the Operational Command of the Armed Forces is continuously the situation. We warn that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the southeastern region of the country.
Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ obserwuje dzisiejszej nocy intensywną aktywność lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, związaną z uderzeniami lotniczo-rakietowymi na obiekty znajdujące się na terytorium Ukrainy.
Wszystkie niezbędne procedury mające na celu zapewnienia… pic.twitter.com/hnhbaxanVc
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) March 24, 2024
According to Ukrainian military officials, multiple Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace while en route to targets in western Ukraine. Poland’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the airspace violation and responded by activating its aircraft, radar systems, and ground-based air defenses. No damage or injuries were reported, and the drones reportedly exited Polish airspace without being intercepted.
This is the latest in a series of drone-related incidents involving Poland. Earlier this month, on September 2 and 3, two Russian drones also briefly entered Polish territory but did not cause harm. In a more serious incident on August 20, a Shahed drone crashed and exploded in a cornfield roughly 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
In response to the increasing frequency of these incursions, Poland is taking broader security measures. Airspace over Warsaw reportedly was closed. The government announced that it will close its border with Belarus starting Thursday, citing growing concerns over the ongoing joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises known as Zapad-2025. Polish authorities view the drills, taking place near its eastern frontier, as a potential threat to national security.
Several regional airports were temporarily closed as a precaution during the latest drone alert. No civilian casualties have been reported, but air travel and commercial logistics have been disrupted.
Poland’s actions come amid rising fears of spillover from the ongoing war in Ukraine, with NATO member states increasingly concerned about the potential for cross-border incidents. While NATO has not issued a formal response to the latest drone intrusion, Polish officials have reportedly briefed alliance partners and continue to coordinate surveillance and airspace defense measures with neighboring countries.
The Polish government has emphasized its readiness to defend national airspace and respond to further provocations. “We are treating these violations with the utmost seriousness,” a defense ministry spokesperson said. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to take necessary action.”
The situation remains fluid, with officials urging the public to remain alert but calm. Further monitoring of the eastern border is underway, and authorities have not ruled out additional security measures in the coming days.