Poland’s Minister of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, at a press conference in Rome, Italy, on May 16, 2025. Getty Images/Antonio Masiello
After overnight drone attacks on Poland, Sweden promptly sent additional aircraft and air defense assets to the neighboring country to strengthen airspace surveillance in the current threat environment posed by Russia.
“Just now I received information from the Swedish Minister of Defense about the urgent deployment to Poland of additional aid, including air defense systems and aircraft. We are in constant contact with our allies. The Netherlands are supplying multi-layer defense systems – Patriot, NASAMS systems, counter-drone capabilities, and 300 soldiers.”
– Vladyslav Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland
In this context it is also reported that the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and the Baltic states are ready to provide support and express concrete positions. According to official data, the invocation of Article Four of the North Atlantic Treaty is being considered as a rare and serious situation.
“The invocation of Article Four of the North Atlantic Treaty is a rare and serious situation”
– NATO press office
During the night of September 10, Russian drones again violated Poland’s airspace. The military carried out an operation to neutralize them, with some drones shot down on Polish territory. Prime Minister Donald Tusk informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and assured that Poland would not bring in additional restrictions. According to defense ministries, about a quarter of the 19 aerial targets were destroyed; drone debris fell in several settlements, including damage to the roof of a private house and a car in the village of Vyryky-Volia. Also on the day of the incident a NATO meeting was scheduled to discuss further steps. The Kremlin has so far refrained from official comments, but the Russian Defense Ministry stated that long-range drones were used during the attack on Ukraine, allegedly crossing the border with Poland; Moscow expressed readiness to consult with the Polish defense ministry on this issue.
Earlier reports of airspace violations by Poland: on February 11, 2025, a Su-24MR of the RF’s reconnaissance forces entered airspace over the Gulf of Gdańsk; on August 20, 2025, a drone fell in a cornfield in the Lublin Voivodeship; on August 26, 2024, an unknown drone flew in during the Russian attack on Ukraine. NATO characterized such actions as irresponsible and dangerous.
A New Sense of Responsibility and Coordination of Forces
European security experts emphasize the growing role of allies in collective defense and active coordination among NATO member states. In response to the threat, Sweden and Poland have intensified intelligence-sharing, strengthened air defense measures, and are considering additional training using modern air defense systems. Such actions indicate that the region needs enhanced cooperation among allies to deter aggression and respond quickly to any new security challenges.
Currently European countries are working on a range of practical steps to strengthen defense: more actively deploying modern air defense systems, improving the early warning system, and strengthening cooperation between military structures. These measures aim to ensure the stability of airspace and reduce risks for civilians and critical infrastructure.