Polish forces shot down more than a dozen Russian drones that violated the country’s airspace during a massive attack on Ukraine early on 10 September, marking the first time NATO has engaged Russian military assets over alliance territory since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began.

According to Poland’s Operational Command, the incident occurred between 1:00 and 3:00 am as part of Russia’s broader aerial assault targeting Lutsk and Lviv in Ukraine, cities in the western part of Ukraine. Russia launched 415 Shahed-type attack drones in what Ukraine described as a massive coordinated strike that also involved Kh-101 and Kalibr missiles.

Drone flight path and interception

Polish OSINT analyst Jarosław Wolski reported that the drones entered Polish airspace near Dorohusk-Dubienki and followed a curved path southward, approximately 8 kilometers east of Chelm toward Zamosc and Tomaszow Lubelski. The unmanned aircraft flew roughly 10-12 kilometers east of both cities before continuing south.

“At least two drones were shot down in the vicinity of Czenski-Niewierki, approximately 15 kilometers east of Zamosc,” according to the Polish Operational Command. Unconfirmed reports from observers suggested several drones may have been directed toward Lublin, though this remained unverified.

The drones exited Polish territory several kilometers north of Hrebenne, following what appears to be a deliberate route that mirrors previous incursions into Polish airspace.

NATO response and international reactions

“Our air defences were activated and successfully ensured the defence of NATO territory, as they are designed to do. Several Allies were involved alongside Poland,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an official communication.

The incident prompted Poland to temporarily close four airports: Warsaw Chopin Airport, Warsaw-Modlin, Rzeszow-Jasionka, and Lublin. Fighter jets were scrambled early on 10 September as more than a dozen drones entered Polish airspace, with NATO allies participating in the defensive operation.

European leaders have condemned the violation, with Poland invoking NATO Article 4, which allows members to request consultations when their territorial integrity or security is threatened.

Analysis of Russian intent

Military analysts suggest the drone incursions were not accidental. The flight path closely follows routes used in previous violations of Polish airspace, indicating deliberate programming rather than navigation errors or electronic warfare interference.

“Russians deliberately set the flight route through Polish territory,” according to the OSINT research, InformNapalm. The route appears designed to bypass Ukrainian air defenses and electronic warfare systems while testing NATO’s response capabilities.

OSINT researchers have established that Russia equipped some drones with Polish and Lithuanian SIM cards, demonstrating the premeditated nature of these hybrid operations. The timing coincides with Russia’s planned “Zapad-2025” military exercises, suggesting the incursions serve as reconnaissance for Polish and NATO defensive capabilities.

Implications for regional security

This marks the first direct engagement between NATO forces and Russian military assets since the invasion began. The incident represents an escalation in Russia’s testing of Western resolve, coming after Poland’s decision to close its border with Belarus.

Military sources anticipate an increase in such incidents as Russia conducts its Zapad exercises, using the operations to study NATO decision-making processes and air defense responses. The violations are expected to impact civilian aviation and regional logistics, with Polish company stocks already showing negative reactions.

The successful interception demonstrates NATO’s defensive capabilities while raising questions about future responses to similar violations of alliance airspace.