Poland Warns of ‘Open Conflict’ After Russian Drone Intrusion

Poland on Wednesday warned that Europe is closer to open conflict than at any time since World War II after Russian drones entered its airspace, prompting NATO fighter jets to respond.

The Polish military reported that 19 drones crossed into the country from Ukraine late Tuesday.

U.S. F-16s and Dutch F-35s joined Polish forces in intercepting the incursion, shooting down at least three drones, with another believed to have been destroyed.

Debris was discovered in several eastern villages, including Wyryki, Czosnówka, Czesniki, and Mniszków. Local authorities confirmed minor property damage but no injuries. Airports in Warsaw and three other cities were temporarily closed during the incident as a safety precaution.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the breach marked a dangerous escalation. “Poland is closer to open conflict than at any point since World War II,” he told reporters in Warsaw.

The government has formally invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, requesting consultations with allies over the security threat.

The incident is the first time NATO forces have directly engaged Russian drones over member territory. NATO said it remains committed to defending all allies, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the drone intrusion “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”

The Kremlin has not commented directly on the event. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Western statements as routine and unfounded.

The scale of the drone attack has heightened concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could spill over into NATO territory, raising the stakes for the wider region.