Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reports that Lithuania has passed urgent legislation expanding the military’s powers to counter drone threats following recent Russian airspace intrusions into several NATO countries. The legal changes are meant to address growing concerns about hostile drone activity near national borders.

Lithuanian parliament approves rapid drone response law

On 23 September 2025, Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, adopted amendments to both the Aviation Law and the Statute on the Use of Military Force, LRT says. The changes grant the military expanded authority to neutralize drones that threaten the country’s airspace, especially in restricted zones.

The amendments were approved under emergency procedure, which, under Seimas rules, is used to safeguard “vital public and state interests.” All lawmakers present in the chamber voted in favor.

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The country’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said the previous laws and procedures were not designed to meet the challenges of current drone-related threats. She explained that the updated statute establishes a new legal basis for using military force against unmanned aerial vehicles in restricted zones when flights violate the rules set by the military command.

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Military force now allowed in more drone-related cases

Before the law change, troops could only engage drones used as weapons in prohibited zones. The Defense Ministry said the new regulations would allow more flexible and effective responses to drone incursions. However, it emphasized that force would only be used in cases of “absolute military necessity” and with all available precautions to avoid harm to people or property.

Additionally, the amendments to the Aviation Law introduce a mechanism for activating restricted zones and informing aircraft in response to airspace violations. The military commander or their delegate now has the power to request immediate activation or deactivation of restricted areas from air traffic service providers.

Two drones in Masovian voivodeship

Masovian voivodeship police reported two separate discoveries of suspected drone wreckage in different counties on 21 September.

In Białobrzegi County, a man spotted remnants of “an object resembling a drone” in a forest near the village of Biała Góra shortly after 9:00. The nearest housing was approximately 6 kilometers away. The police secured the site and the debris, and notified the Military Gendarmerie and the Prosecutor’s Office in Grójec.

Later the same morning, in Siedlce County, another suspected drone crash site was found. According to Masovian voivodeship police, mushroom pickers came across “parts of an object resembling a drone.” in a wooded area near the village of Wodynie, roughly 1 kilometer from the nearest homes. Law enforcement again secured the site and informed both the Military Gendarmerie and the Prosecutor’s Office in Siedlce.

Third object found in Lublin voivodeship

Also on 21 September, police in Lublin voivodeship confirmed that mushroom pickers discovered another “object resembling a drone lying on the ground.” This object was found at about 10:00 in a forest near the village of Sulmice, Zamość County, within Skierbieszów municipality. The debris was located about 1.5 kilometers from the nearest buildings. Local police reported that the area and the remains were secured and that other agencies were informed, including the Military Gendarmerie and the Prosecutor’s Office in Zamość.

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Connection to earlier Russian drone incursion not reported

It remains unclear whether the wreckage found on 21 September is related to the Russian drone incursion into Poland on 10 September or if the objects entered Polish territory during separate, undetected events.

Since then, suspected drone wreckage has been found repeatedly. On 17 and 20 September, Polish authorities reported additional discoveries. On 19 September, missile debris was recovered that may have originated from efforts to shoot down Russian drones. 

A Russian drone landed on the grounds of a Polish territorial defense base near Warsaw on 10 September, RMF24 reports. The incident occurred during a wave of at least 19 drones, flying in from Belarus and Ukraine, that violated Polish airspace overnight. No injuries or damage were reported. 16 16 UAVs were later recovered across Poland

Russian drone crash at Polish base

RMF24 confirmed that one of the drones fell on the territory of a Polish Territorial Defense Forces unit in Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą, located in Grójec County, not far from Warsaw. The drone was an unarmed Gerbera-type UAV and did not cause any structural damage, according to the report. This is the first confirmed case of a Russian drone landing within a military facility in Poland, a NATO member state. 

16 drones found across Poland in one night

Polish authorities confirmed 19 Russian drones violated airspace on 10 September, with 16 later found on Polish territory. Most of them came down in rural or uninhabited areas across multiple voivodeships, including Lublin, Świętokrzyskie, and Warmia-Masuria. Some damaged farm buildings or landed near homes, but no casualties were reported.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the Sejm that 19 airspace violations were registered during the night. He emphasized that, for the first time, the attack originated not from Ukrainian airspace but from Belarus.

During the attack, Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported Russian drone movements to Poland via both Ukraine and Belarus, and later stated that some Russian drones returned from Poland to Ukraine.

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Investigations continue at crash sites

In Cześniki, near Zamość, a drone was shot down by Polish air defense forces. Prosecutors confirmed that “Cyrillic” inscriptions were found on one of the drone’s components. Nearby, 30 drone fragments were collected, including parts made from foam-like materials and plywood.

Elsewhere, another drone landed on a residential home in Wyryki Wola in Lublin Voivodeship, damaging the roof and a car. No injuries occurred, as the elderly couple living there were tending to animals outside at the time, RMF24 says.

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In his 10 September evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a united, coordinated air defense strategy to protect Europe’s skies, warning that Russia’s escalating drone warfare now targets not only Ukraine but NATO territory itself.

Ukraine proposes joint air defense as Russia tests NATO skies

Zelenskyy said more than 400 Russian drones—mostly Shahed explosive UAVs—and over 40 missiles struck Ukraine the previous night. Most were intercepted, but damage was still inflicted across multiple oblasts, including hits on residential homes and infrastructure.

According to him, Ukrainian forces began tracking drone movements from 1 a.m. on 10 September, as they crossed into Polish airspace from both Ukrainian and Belarusian directions.

“This movement was not an accident or a mistake – it was deliberate,” he said. “Almost two dozen drones entered Poland, and it seems that less than half of the total number came from the Ukrainian side,” he added, implying that the rest flew in from Belarus, Russia’s ally.

Calling it a “calculated Russian activity,” Zelenskyy warned that the incursion was designed to probe allied red lines:

“The Russians are testing the limits of what is possible. They are testing reactions. They are watching closely how NATO armed forces act.”

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Kyiv offers tech, training, and intelligence to shield Europe

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had offered Poland support in responding to the drone breach.

“We are ready to assist with technology, crew training, and the necessary intelligence.” He stressed that only united European forces can offer real protection. “Ukraine proposes to defend airspace in a coordinated, thoughtful and joint manner. We have presented to our partners how this can be achieved.”

He stated that the proposal includes clear mechanisms to stop Russia’s escalation and prevent the war from expanding.

“The details are clear – how to prevent the war from expanding and how to stop Russia’s escalatory steps.”

He also announced upcoming defense meetings between Ukrainian and Polish defense officials.

“I instructed our military to present all the experience we have in countering drones,” Zelenskyy said.

Kremlin uses Belarus, drones, and disinfo to destabilize

Zelenskyy said Russia’s joint drills with Belarus, Zapad 2025, starting on 12 September, could be linked to this latest escalation.

“Joint Russian–Belarusian exercises have now begun on Belarusian territory. And this may well be part of their ‘training plan’, so to speak.”

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He added that Moscow was simultaneously conducting a disinformation campaign aimed at sowing division between Poland and Ukraine.

“We see how the Russians are trying to humiliate Poland.”

He warned that the number of drones entering NATO airspace could grow if the alliance continues to respond passively.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be hundreds of drones if there are already dozens.”

Strength is the only language Russia understands

Zelenskyy emphasized that only force will make Moscow reconsider its strategy.

“Russia only listens to strength and takes only the strong into account.”

He urged Ukraine’s allies, especially the United States, to respond with action, not just statements.

“We are very much counting on a strong response from the United States.”

Russian drones breached Polish airspace on the night of 10 September 2025, prompting a rapid NATO response. Sweden will urgently send air defense systems and fighter jets to Poland, confirmed Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a live appearance on TVN24.

Sweden pledges aircraft and missile systems

“This day is not just about words of support, but also concrete declarations,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said on TVN24. “I just received information from Sweden’s Minister of Defense about the urgent delivery of additional support to Poland—air defense systems and aircraft.”

He stressed that allied decisions are now backed by action.

“Every such escalation makes us more united, not divided,” he said.

According to the minister, Sweden’s military aid will arrive alongside multi-level commitments from other NATO allies, delivered “within dozens of hours.”

Russian drones in Poland

Debris from the drones was recovered, but identifying the models remains difficult.

“They often broke into very small pieces,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated.

He linked the incident directly to Russia’s broader ambitions.

“Russia’s strategy never changes,” he said. “They may change slogans or shapes, but they always move in one direction: destroying the civilization of the West, destroying our culture, our values, and the civilization of life.”

Allies respond with weapons, troops, and coordination

Support from NATO countries has been swift and tangible. The Netherlands will deliver Patriot batteries, NASAMS systems, anti-drone equipment, and 300 soldiers. Other allies—including the Czech Republic, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Italy, and the Baltic states—have made clear commitments.

“All our allies are ready to provide support,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “They are making concrete declarations.”

Poland triggered consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty—an uncommon move, but one the minister called “a rare and serious situation.” He referenced the 2003 NATO mission near Türkiye’s border with Iraq as a precedent for this type of coordinated defense initiative.

Eyes on Zapad 2025 as drone threats rise

When asked why this particular night saw intensified Russian drone activity, Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed to the timing.

“The correlation with the Zapad exercises is evident,” he said.

Zapad 2025, the latest joint Russian-Belarusian military drills, officially begin on 12 September. Poland has already announced it will shut its border with Belarus starting midnight that day, citing security risks tied to the exercise.