NATO Tracks Russian Drones in Poland
At least 19 Russian drones breached Polish airspace last night, prompting condemnation from Polish allies and a swift response from NATO.
The Russian drones entered Poland around 1:50 am local time, originating from Belarus. Polish and NATO forces intercepted the drones, causing debris to fall across the country. Multiple locations in residential areas, including Wyryki-Wola in eastern Poland, were affected. Polish authorities discovered seven drones and remnants of an unidentified object in various regions.
Images verified by Sky News show that the Russian drones, identified as Chinese-designed 'Gerbera' drones, landed in Poland. The Gerbera drones, introduced by Russia in July 2024, are primarily used as decoys due to their low-cost construction from materials like plywood or foam. Despite resembling destructive drones like Shahed drones on radar, they are significantly cheaper to produce.
NATO forces, supported by Dutch and Polish fighter jets and Ukraine, swiftly responded to the airspace breach by shooting down several Russian drones. Ukrainian forces communicated with Poland about the drone movements throughout the night. Flight tracking data revealed Dutch refueling planes aiding fighter jets above Lubin, the impacted district. The Polish Air Force also deployed planes to monitor the situation.
The incursion occurred amidst increased drone usage in the Ukraine conflict, with over 17,500 drone and air strikes recorded in 2025. ACLED reported at least 50 airspace violations near Ukraine's western borders since the conflict began, with only four incidents in Poland. The incursion into NATO territory raises concerns about potential escalation and challenges to NATO's security.
The Russian drone intrusion into Polish airspace is seen as a signal to Western European governments against deploying forces in Ukraine. Moscow aims to challenge NATO across various domains, potentially blurring the boundaries of NATO's defense commitments. This incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.
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