Poland has shot down drones over its territory after repeated violations of its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, prime minister Donald Tusk has said, marking the first time in the Ukraine war that Warsaw has engaged Russian assets in its airspace.
“An operation is underway related to the repeated violation of Polish airspace,” Tusk wrote on X early on Wednesday. “The military has used weaponry against the objects.” He said he was in “constant contact” with President Karol Nawrocki and the operational commander.
The announcement came after Poland closed airports and the army said it had launched an operation “to neutralise” objects that crossed over its border.
“At the request of the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, weapons have been used, and operations are underway to locate the downed targets,” Poland’s military command said in a post on X earlier.
It said the military operation was ongoing and urged people to stay at home, naming the regions of Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin as most at risk.