Russia’s attack on Poland, during which drones violated the country’s airspace for several hours, shocked not only Warsaw but also NATO neighbors. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has openly admitted his country is now “defenseless” against such a threat, Polsat News reports.

Russia launched 415 drones of various types and over 40 cruise and ballistic missiles against Ukraine. One person was killed and over 30 were injured. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed more than 380 drones using mobile fire groups across the country. At the same time, 19 drones crossed into Poland.

Warning from Tokyo

Pellegrini made the statement during his visit to Japan. He stressed that Slovakia lags far behind in building a modern air defense system, leaving the country vulnerable, Teraz reports. 

“We are defenseless today. If a similar situation happened in Slovakia, people would only have to hope that drones don’t fall on residential houses,” he said. 

The president acknowledged that Slovakia lacks effective response capabilities. Even a technical malfunction or course deviation could cause drones or missiles to crash on Slovak territory.

“We cannot immediately react in case of a violation of our airspace, as it happened in Poland,” he added.

A warning finger for all allies

The head of state called the incident in Poland “an important warning and a raised finger” for all NATO countries. He argued that Slovakia must urgently build its air defense system and integrate it into Europe’s security architecture.

Slovak government reaction

Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár described the Russian drone intrusion into Poland as an escalation of the conflict. He confirmed solidarity with Warsaw and backed its decision to initiate NATO consultations under Article 4.

At the same time, Blanár called for diplomacy, expressing hope that peace talks launched by US President Donald Trump could bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“I want to believe that the drones that entered Poland were not meant to attack it, but were only supposed to land in Ukraine,” he said.

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok reacted more cautiously, recalling that in the past, a similar case with a “Russian missile” in Poland turned out to be a Ukrainian mistake.

Massive attack on Ukraine

The Polish incident was part of Russia’s large-scale strike on the night of 10–11 September. Moscow launched 415 drones and more than 40 cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine. Most of the drones were downed by air defense, but one person was killed.

In Poland, the attack lasted for six hours. Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that 19 drones were used, some launched from Belarus. Polish forces managed to shoot down only three to four drones, while the rest crashed on Polish soil.

NATO’s response

Polish government Spokesperson Adam Szłapka has confirmed that NATO had activated Article 4. Consultations among allies have already taken place.

While Article 4 does not mandate an automatic military response like Article 5, it allows member states to consider additional security measures, including troop deployments and reinforcement of air defense systems.

For Russia, this incident was a way to test NATO’s resolve. For Poland’s neighbors, it was a painful reminder that the war against Ukraine directly threatens their own security.

Past events 

Earlier, a poll revealed that 14% of Slovaks surveyed openly want to join Russia, and another 18% consider this possibility.

The idea is most supported by students and the unemployed, which, according to experts, rather reflects economic instability and disappointment with the country’s Western course than genuine loyalty to the Kremlin.

In the night of 10 September, Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine spilled beyond Ukrainian skies. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, nearly Russian enemy drones may have entered Polish airspace. This unprecedented incident forced Warsaw to call on NATO allies and activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Russia launched 415 drones of various types and over 40 cruise and ballistic missiles against Ukraine. One person was killed and several injured. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed more than 380 drones using mobile fire groups across the country. At the same time, part of the drone swarm crossed into Poland.

Polish confirmation

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has confirmed that Russia used 19 drones in an attack lasting six hours, calling it a serious test of Poland’s defense, Suspilne reports. F-16 and F-35 fighter jets were scrambled, but only 3–4 drones were intercepted, while the rest fell on Polish territory.

Possible reconnaissance of Polish air defenses

Defense Express experts, analyzing debris, have suggested the drones could have been Russian “Gerbera” models, primitive foam UAVs that can carry reconnaissance equipment or small explosive payloads of up to 5 kg. While often used as decoys, this time they may have served another purpose.

The drones were spotted over multiple regions: north of Lublin, near Stalowa Wola with its defense industries, west of Białystok, and even close to Łódź.

Analysts note that their flight paths coincided with key Polish air defense sites, including long-range radar posts in Roskosz (NUR-12M), Labunie (RAT-31DL), and Szypłiszki near the strategic Suwałki Gap, NATO’s link between the Baltic states, the rest of the Alliance, and Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast. 

Experts warn the strike may have been a reconnaissance mission, probing Poland’s air defense ahead of possible future scenarios.

Ukraine’s response

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stresses that such incidents prove no European country is safe without joint action. 

“Ukraine is ready to expand cooperation with partners for reliable air defense. Not only information-sharing, but real joint actions in the sky must guarantee the security of neighbors. Russia must feel that Europeans know how to defend themselves,” he claims. 

NATO moves

Polish government spokesman Adam Szłapka told Polsat News that Warsaw officially invoked Article 4, and allies agreed to activate it.

Article 4 provides for urgent consultations when the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of a member state is threatened. Unlike Article 5, it does not trigger automatic military action, but it opens the way for reinforced defense measures, troop deployments, and new security guarantees.

A symbolic signal

For Moscow, this attack could be a test of the West’s reaction. For NATO, it is another reminder that Russia’s war against Ukraine directly threatens European allies.

Threat to the Alliance 

The attack on Poland is an unmistakable threat to NATO. At the same time, US President Donald Trump has so far made no public comments or official statements regarding Russia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace. Moreover, he has not yet implemented new sanctions on Moscow in response to its attacks on the top governmental building in Kyiv, as he previousely claimed.