Російські дрони над Польщею

In the night of September 9‑10, Russia launched a large-scale air attack on Ukraine, but this time it also sent more than 20 drones into NATO airspace over Poland. Polish citizens received a text warning about the neutralization of objects violating Polish territory, and the Polish Armed Forces were put on full combat readiness. Four major airports were closed to allow fighters to track and engage incoming targets. NATO responded with Polish F‑16s, Dutch F‑35s, German Patriot batteries, and Italian tankers, while the last drone was shot down at 6:45 local time. Most drones were “Gerber” type, many falling after fuel exhaustion; one reached Mniszkow, another drifted toward the Baltic coast, and one struck a residential building in Viriki, causing significant damage. The incident marked the first time NATO combat aircraft shot down Russian offensive weapons over alliance territory. Ukraine reported launching 458 aerial objects, including 250 “Gerber” (Russian Shahed) drones, of which 413 were shot down. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for calm but confirmed that at least 19 drones crossed Polish airspace, some originating from Belarus. Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty for urgent consultations, and President Karol Nawrotski announced a national security council meeting within 48 hours. Moscow denied responsibility, while Belarus claimed it had warned Warsaw of the approaching drones, and the U.S. reportedly deployed B‑52 bombers in Europe, though the connection to the attack remains unclear.