Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk vowed to accelerate Poland’s military modernization program following an unprecedented incursion of 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, during a massive Russian attack on Ukraine. Speaking at an air base in Lask, Tusk praised the swift response of Polish and NATO forces, including Dutch F-35 jets, which shot down up to four drones. The incident, described as a deliberate provocation by European officials, marked the first time NATO engaged enemy targets in allied airspace, raising fears of escalation in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

Tusk emphasized the acquisition of 32 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, with the first delivery expected in May 2026, as part of a deal finalized in 2020 to bolster Poland’s air defenses against regional threats. “We will ensure Poland is truly safe from the sky,” he said, expressing confidence in meeting allied obligations. The incursion, partly originating from Belarus, coincided with planned Russian-Belarusian “Zapad-2025” military drills starting Friday, prompting Poland to close its Belarus border at midnight Thursday.

The Polish Air Navigation Agency imposed air traffic restrictions in eastern Poland on Thursday for national security, following the temporary closure of four airports, including Warsaw’s Chopin, during the incursion. European leaders, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, called the event a “game-changer,” urging stronger sanctions against Russia. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed Moscow’s claim of an accidental incursion, citing the scale of the 19-drone breach as evidence of intent.

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Tusk invoked NATO’s Article 4 for consultations, a move supported by allies like the UK, France, and Germany, who condemned Russia’s actions. US President Donald Trump, after an ambiguous social media post, reaffirmed robust US military support in Poland, where 10,000 US troops are stationed. The incident, which damaged a house but caused no casualties, has intensified calls for a joint European air defense system, as proposed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Poland’s military buildup, including plans to double its armed forces to 500,000, reflects heightened alertness amid fears of Russia’s expansionist ambitions beyond Ukraine. Tusk’s government remains committed to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, with allied support like potential UK Typhoon jet deployments under discussion. The incident underscores the fragile regional security dynamics as Russia’s war escalates, with no progress in US-led peace talks.

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