## Russian drones Enter Polish Airspace, Sparking Condemnation and Calls for Stronger Sanctions
Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a “massive” russian attack on Ukraine, prompting strong reactions from Ukrainian officials, European leaders, and Russia itself. Teh incident has fueled concerns about escalating tensions and prompted calls for increased support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia.
According to Ukrainian officials, the incursion represents a intentional escalation by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said that Russian drones entered Polish airspace, characterizing the attack on Ukraine as “massive” and accusing Putin of “testing the West.” He urged partners to “urgently strengthen” Ukraine’s air defense and demanded that sanctions be “ramped up without delay.”
ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that approximately eight Russian drones were involved in the breach of Polish territory, describing it as “an extremely risky precedent for Europe.”
Russia,however,disputed the origin of the drones. Andrei Ordash, Russia’s charge d’affaires in Poland, told Russia’s state-owned RIA news agency that Poland had not provided any evidence linking the drones to Russia, calling the accusations “groundless.” Ordash asserted that Russia has “absolutely no interest in any escalation with Poland,” but expressed doubt that Polish authorities would consider Russia’s perspective.
This incident echoes a similar event in late 2022, when a missile struck Polish territory near the Ukrainian border, killing two people. While initially believed to have been fired by Ukrainian air defense, NATO ultimately attributed blame to russian forces.
The incursion into Polish airspace drew swift condemnation from European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in her State of the Union address on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, condemned Russia’s actions as “reckless and unprecedented,” declaring Europe’s “full solidarity” with Warsaw. Her remarks were met with a standing ovation from European lawmakers.Von der Leyen emphasized the need for “more pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table” and announced work on a 19th package of sanctions.She also indicated the EU would accelerate phasing out Russian fossil fuels and scrutinize Russia’s “shadow fleet and at third countries.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called the incursion “simply unacceptable” and condemned it “in the strongest terms.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also expressed solidarity with Poland. Even Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a key ally of Putin, stated that “the violation of Poland’s territorial integrity is unacceptable,” and voiced support for the Trump administration’s efforts to achieve peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.
