Polish President Karol Nawrocki has called for an emergency meeting after Russian drones closed two of the country’s airports on the morning of Wednesday, 16th September.
Polish fighter jets were scrambled, and operations were temporarily halted at Lublin Airport and Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport after Russian drones attacked Ukrainian targets close to the country’s border.
MiG-29 Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
MiG-29 National Security Journal Photo Taken in July, 2025.
It follows recent escalations by Russia after a train was struck just over a mile from the Poland-Ukraine border three days prior.
Airports Closed, Jets Scrambled
Shortly before 7 am local time, Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces (DORSZ) announced a preventative operation following strikes by Russian drones in western Ukraine.
“In connection with strikes carried out by the Russian Federation using jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles on the territory of Ukraine, military aviation operations have commenced in Polish airspace,” DORSZ said on social media.
“In accordance with applicable procedures, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, through the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command, has activated the necessary forces and resources at its disposal. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance have reached a state of readiness. These actions are of a preventative nature and are aimed at securing airspace and its protection, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened zones.”
An hour later, DORSZ said the drone attack had concluded, with no violation of Polish airspace recorded.
Emergency Meeting as Alerts Issued
Shortly after the alert was lifted, Bartosz Grodecki, Head of the National Security Bureau, said the Polish President had called a meeting with Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukuła.
“The conversation will concern the current security situation and the measures being taken in connection with recent events,” Grodecki said. “One of the meeting’s topics will also be the cooperation of institutions responsible for security.”
The meeting will take place on Friday, 18th September.
The news broke just hours after the military operation that temporarily suspended flights at airports in Lublin and Rzeszow suspend flights for almost an hour.
Polish broadcaster TVN24 added that residents of Lublin and Podkarpackie were issued alerts for half an hour during Russia’s drone assault in western Ukraine.
Border Threats Continuing
The latest developments come just days after Russian strikes close to the Poland-Ukraine border.
On Monday, Russian drones targeted a gas station near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing.
While the crossing itself remained open, two drivers were injured, with local media sharing images of burned-out trucks that were damaged by drone debris.
On the same day, Russian drones struck a Kyiv-Warsaw passenger train just 1.2 miles from the Polish border.
Minutes before, a separate train carrying European officials, including former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson, had traveled through the same area.
Following both attacks, Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said: “We treat these events with the utmost seriousness. The situation is being monitored continuously. Russia is the enemy of the free world.”
Both attacks took place on routes commonly used to supply Western aid to Ukraine, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte saying the strikes’ proximity to the alliance’s territory demonstrated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror.”
NATO Incursions
Wednesday morning marked the latest response by a NATO member just one day after NATO jets were scrambled to shoot down a drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace.
Drone alerts were issued in the country’s capital, Vilnius, and the surrounding areas, with residents told to “find a safe place” and “wait for the all-clear.”
Lithuania’s armed forces and Italian fighter pilots based in the Baltic country shot down the drone in a “swift and responsible response,” according to Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense.
In a statement on X, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said: “A drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighter jets. I thank Allied personnel for their swift response.”
He added: “With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace.”
While it remains unclear as to whether it was a Russian or Ukrainian drone, tensions between NATO and Moscow have risen in recent weeks.
Last month, Leipzig Airport in Germany was targeted by Russian drones, while in an incident on Monday, Denmark accused Russia of firing emergency flares at a Danish helicopter in the Baltic Sea.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
