Polish PM says Polish airspace violated by huge number of Russian dronesYour support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Donald Trump is set to speak with Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki, after Russian drones entered Polish air space in an unprecedented incursion into Nato territory.
Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action overnight after the drones entered its airspace during a major air attack on western Ukraine.
Prime minister Donald Tusk activated Article 4 of the Nato treaty, demanding discussion with its member states, as he said Poland was closer to conflict than it had ever been since the Second World War.
But Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
As European and Nato countries rally to Poland’s defence, the US has vowed that it will help defend Nato territory following the incursion. The US would defend “every inch of Nato territory”, Washington’s ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said.
It is unclear when Trump’s talks with Nawrocki, reported by the BBC, will take place.
A total of 19 objects intruded into Polish airspace overnight with many drones entering from Belarus, Mr Tusk later said parliament. There have been no injury reports.
Three drones are confirmed to have been shot down, amid reports of drone or drone-like debris in the eastern villages of Czosnowka, Czesniki and Wyryki, and the central village of Mniszkow.
Watch: Timelapse shows passenger flights diverting after Russian drones enter Polish airspaceTimelapse shows passenger flights diverting after Russian drones enter Polish airspace
Bryony Gooch10 September 2025 17:40
Trump: ‘What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!’
US president Donald Trump has issued a statement on Truth Social following Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace.
“What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”
Trump is set to speak to Poland’s president following the incident.
Bryony Gooch10 September 2025 17:20
Merz: ‘Nato is ready to defend’ after Russian attack
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned Russia’s attack on Polish airspace with a statement on X.
“Russia has endangered human lives in a state that belongs to both NATO and the EU. This reckless approach fits into a long chain of provocations in the Baltic Sea region and along NATO’s eastern flank,” he said.
“It is good that Poland, together with its NATO allies, was able to recognize and eliminate this danger in a timely manner.
“At Poland’s request, the NATO Council has today discussed the Russian approach under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty. NATO is and remains ready to defend.”
Bryony Gooch10 September 2025 17:00
Canadian prime minister calls Russian incursion with Polish airspace ‘reckless and escalatory’
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney on Wednesday condemned Russia’s incursion of drones into Polish airspace as “reckless and escalatory” and said Ottawa was closely coordinating with its NATO allies.
Carney said in a statement that the incident showed the need to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war on Ukraine.
“We will remain vigilant against Russia’s attempts to widen and prolong the conflict with Ukraine. Putin is demonstrating once again his total disregard for the path of peace,” he said.
Canada is one of Kyiv’s most vocal defenders internationally and has committed to sending billions of dollars in financial and military aid.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said earlier that the incursion was “yet another horrendous example of Putin’s refusal to seek peace.”
Bryony Gooch10 September 2025 16:40
Russian drone incursion was deliberate, says Germany
The incursion of Russian drones into Poland was an unacceptable, targeted provocation against Nato, German defence minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday, adding he believed it had been a deliberate act.
“There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that these drones accidentally flew over Polish territory on this route,” Mr Pistorius told reporters. “This means that we can assume that this was a deliberate action,” he said.
Asked how this differed from an attack that could trigger Article 5 of the Nato treaty, he said it was an attack in that it had infringed Polish air space but not in a military sense that anything was destroyed or people killed, as far as he knew.
Mr Pistorius added Nato was united and had a clear but level-headed response. “We are focusing on strength and unity but will not let ourselves be provoked,” he said.
Alex Croft10 September 2025 16:20
Mapped: Where in Poland were Russian drones shot down?
Poland has accused Russia of sending several drones into its territory, with prime minister Donald Tusk saying the country is the closest it has been to armed conflict since the Second World War.
Polish air defences shot down at least three drones, marking the first time a Nato member has directly engaged Russia since the beginning of its war in Ukraine.
Mr Tusk has called for an emergency Nato meeting as he announced that there had been 19 incursions by drones and drone-like objects into Polish airspace overnight.
“I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before,” he said.
Alex Croft10 September 2025 15:59
Trump to speak with Polish president as US vows to back Nato
Donald Trump is set to speak with Polish president Karol Nawrocki later today as he tracks developments coming out of Poland, a White House official has told the BBC.
The exact timing of the conversation – which comes a week after Nawrocki visited Trump in the White House – is unclear.
It comes as the US has reaffirmed its commitment to Nato and vowed to defend “every inch” of territory covered by the alliance.
The comments by Washington ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker will come as a relief to Europe given the US president’s criticisms of the alliance since he took power.
Alex Croft10 September 2025 15:42
UK asks military to look at bolstering Polish defences
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Defence secretary asks UK armed forces to ‘look at options to bolster NATO’s air defences over Poland’
John Healey has said he has asked the UK armed forces to “look at options to bolster NATO’s air defences over Poland” after the country’s airspace was violated by multiple Russian drones and those that posed a direct threat were shot down.
Giving a statement after talks in London with defence officials from Poland, Italy, France and Germany, the UK defence secretary said Putin’s aggression “only serves to strengthen the unity between our NATO nations”.
“Your aggression only serves to strengthen our determination to stand with Ukraine. And your aggression reminds us that a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine and that the security of Europe starts in Ukraine”, he added.
Defence Secretary John Healey has asked the military to look at how to help with Polish defences (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)
Alex Croft10 September 2025 15:25
‘Lame’ Polish response to previous incursions encouraged Russia – military expert
Poland’s ‘lame’ response to past drone incursions encouraged Russia – military expert
Poland’s “relatively lame” response to previous incidents of Russian drones entering its airspace likely encouraged Russia to divert some drones to Polish airspace, a military analyst has told The Independent.
There have been multiple reports of Russian drones violating Polish airspace in the past week, drawing condemnation from Warsaw, but no fierce military response.
“This has likely encouraged the Russians to continue taking advantage of the situation, as flying through Polish airspace helps Russians to avoid Ukrainian air defences,” said Emil Kastehelmi, military analyst at the Finland-based Black Bird Group.
Despite claims that Ukrainian electronic warfare could be the reason behind drones straying from their route, Mr Kastehelmi believes “at least some level of usage of the Polish airspace has been intentional”.
He added: “Even if it was unintentional, it is still a serious example of Russia’s indifference to whether its military operations affect third parties as they conduct strikes in western Ukraine.”
Alex Croft10 September 2025 15:06
EU considering faster Russian oil and gas exit after US pressure
The European Union is considering barring the use of Russian oil and gas faster than previously planned as part of new sanctions against Moscow, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
It comes after US President Donald Trump reportedly told leaders to stop buying Russian oil last week.
In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament, von der Leyen said that the EU is “looking at phasing out Russian fossil fuels faster, the shadow fleet and third countries” as part of the 19th package of sanctions now being prepared.
But the Kremlin said on Monday that no sanctions would ever force Russia to change course in the war in Ukraine.
The EU has already banned imports of seaborne crude oil from Russia – accounting for more than 90% of its Russian oil imports – and imposed a price cap on Russian oil trade.
The bloc is now is now negotiating legal proposals to completely phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028, and said new sanctions could bring thos date forwards.
But the proposals are opposed by Hungary and Slovakia, who fear the ban could result in raised energy prices.
Ursula von der Leyen spoke on Wednesday (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Nicole Wootton-Cane10 September 2025 14:51