Russian Drone Fears Force Poland to Scramble Jets; Romania Confirms Airspace Breach
Poland activated a preventive air operation on Saturday after intelligence suggested Russian drones could strike Ukrainian territory near the Polish border. The alert lasted around two hours, during which Polish and allied aircraft were deployed, and air defence and reconnaissance systems were placed on high alert. The eastern city of Lublin’s airport was temporarily closed due to military aviation activities.
Preventive Actions in Poland
The Polish military’s Operational Command explained that the measures were precautionary, designed to secure national airspace and safeguard civilians in border regions most at risk. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that preventive operations were underway, stressing that Russian drones operating near Ukraine posed a direct danger.
The Government Security Centre also issued an air-attack warning for several counties in the Lublin region, cautioning residents to remain alert. Once the threat period ended, the military announced that the operation had been completed and that systems returned to normal readiness.
Recent Incursions and Rising Tensions
This action followed incidents earlier in the week, when multiple Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, forcing NATO to scramble fighter jets. While Moscow denied intentionally targeting Poland, European leaders called the incursions a deliberate provocation. Belarus, a Russian ally, claimed the drones had gone astray due to jamming.
Poland has scrambled aircraft repeatedly in recent months due to Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, but these strikes often occur at night or in the early morning.
Romania Reports Drone Breach
On the same day, Romania deployed two F-16 fighter jets, supported by German Eurofighter aircraft, after a Russian drone briefly entered its airspace. The drone crossed near the Danube, remained for about 50 minutes, and then exited back toward Ukraine.
The Romanian Defence Ministry said the drone did not fly over populated areas and posed no immediate danger to civilians. Search teams have been deployed to check for possible debris.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the Romanian incursion as “an obvious expansion of the war” and urged NATO allies to strengthen joint defence and tighten sanctions on Russia.
Broader Implications
These events highlight growing security risks on NATO’s eastern flank, where spillover from Russia’s war in Ukraine is becoming more frequent. Preventive operations, once rare, now demonstrate how seriously Poland and Romania treat even potential threats from low-flying drones.
The incidents raise ongoing questions about NATO’s next steps—whether to increase regional air defence, expand early-warning systems, or take stronger diplomatic measures against Moscow.
