Select Language:
A house suffered damage after a drone or similar object struck a residential building, according to local authorities. This incident occurred amidst violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, in Wyryki Municipality, Poland, on September 10, 2025. — Reuters
– A drone crashed into the house of an elderly resident in a small eastern Polish village.
– The Polish Prime Minister stated this was the closest they’ve come to an open conflict since World War II.
– NATO’s secretary described the incident as completely reckless and dangerous.
Poland intercepted suspected Russian drones in its airspace on Wednesday, with support from military aircraft from NATO allies. This marked the first known instance where a member of the Western alliance fired shots during Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament that this was “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II,” but he emphasized that there’s no current indication of imminent war. To combat the drone incursions that began Tuesday evening and persisted into the early morning hours, Polish F-16 fighters, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS surveillance planes, and NATO refueling aircraft were mobilized.
One drone collided with Tomasz Wesolowski’s two-story brick home in Wyryki-Wola at approximately 6:30 a.m., while he was watching the news about the incident on TV. The impact destroyed the roof and scattered debris into the bedroom. Wesolowski told Reuters that his house “needs to be demolished.” Elsewhere in southeastern Poland, a scorched spot in a field indicated where other drones had fallen.
Moscow denied responsibility, with a senior diplomat in Poland claiming the drones originated from the direction of Ukraine. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its drones executed a major assault on military facilities in western Ukraine but did not intend to target Poland.
Leaders of France, the UK, Germany, and Canada issued strong condemnations of the Russian incursion. The United States had yet to release an immediate statement, but NATO’s top commander, Alexus Grynkewich, affirmed that the alliance had responded swiftly and decisively, demonstrating its capability and willingness to defend allied territory.
European leaders, who have been urging U.S. President Donald Trump to cooperate in tightening sanctions on Russia and increasing support for Ukraine, believe this incident justifies a collective response. Poland reported 19 objects entering its airspace during a large Russian attack on Ukraine, successfully downing those that threatened security.
Tusk characterized the event as a “large-scale provocation” and activated NATO’s Article 4, which authorizes member states to consult with allies. Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Poland dismissed accusations of an incursion as “groundless,” asserting Poland provided no evidence that the downed drones were Russian.
The Kremlin chose not to directly comment but spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the EU and NATO “accuse Russia of provocations daily, often without any justification.”
During the incident, Polish military authorities advised residents to remain indoors, especially in three eastern regions identified as high-risk. Several airports, including key points used by Western officials and supplies heading to Ukraine, were temporarily shut down.
NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that a thorough assessment had not yet been completed but described the situation as “absolutely reckless and dangerous,” regardless of whether the attacks were intentional.
Historically, such drone intrusions in European airspace have been rare, and few countries have responded with interceptions. In 2022, two individuals in Poland were killed when a Ukrainian missile went astray.
Since NATO’s founding in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked seven times, most recently in February 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that Russia’s war is escalating and underscored the need to increase costs on Moscow, bolster support for Ukraine, and enhance European defense capabilities. She noted initial signs suggest the Russian drone incursions into European airspace were deliberate, not accidental.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia deployed a total of 415 drones and 40 missiles overnight, with at least eight Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting Poland. He described this as an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe” demanding a united, strong response from Ukraine, Poland, Europe, and the United States.
Russia insists it has no intention of provoking war with NATO and claims Western countries exaggerate threats to worsen relations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for additional sanctions against Russia, targeting “shadow fleet” tankers that transport its oil and third countries purchasing it.
Former President Donald Trump, who recently hosted Putin in Alaska this past August, indicated over the weekend that he was prepared to escalate sanctions against Russia following prolonged discussions on a peace agreement.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
