Kyiv, September 10: Following the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for stronger joint air defense cooperation with European allies.
Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces alerted Polish authorities in real-time through established communication channels. “Another report from the Commander of our Air Force. We are clarifying all available data and analyzing the details of this Russian strike. Already during the night, Ukrainian forces were informing the Polish side through the relevant channels about the movement of Russian drones,” he said.
The first recorded incursion occurred at approximately 12:50 a.m. Kyiv time, with Ukrainian authorities noting that the drones likely used Belarusian airspace en route to Poland. Zelenskyy added that around two dozen Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace during the night.
“We are verifying this. Our air defense forces destroyed more than 380 Russian drones of various types. At least 250 of them were ‘shaheds.’ Precise information on the drone types will be determined after analysis of the debris,” he said.
Zelenskyy urged greater operational coordination and defense partnerships between Ukraine and its allies. “Ukraine is ready to expand our cooperation with partners for the reliable protection of the sky. So that we have not only information and intelligence data sharing, but also real joint actions that guarantee security of the neighbors,” he said.
He concluded with a warning for Russia: “Russia must feel that Europeans know how to defend themselves.”
Earlier, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson described the drone attacks on NATO ally Poland as an “act of war,” calling for mandatory sanctions against Russia and arming Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russian targets. “Putin is no longer content just losing in Ukraine while bombing mothers and babies; he is now directly testing our resolve in NATO territory. Putin stated that ‘Russia knows no borders.’ Free and prosperous nations will teach Russia about borders,” Wilson said.
Poland’s military confirmed it shot down drones that breached its airspace, marking the first such action by the country and raising concerns of major provocation for Europe and NATO forces. “This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” Poland’s Operation Command said.
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