Zelensky Urges Stronger Joint Air Defense After Russian Drones Breach Polish Airspace

Following the intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European allies to strengthen joint air defense cooperation. Sharing an update on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces had alerted Polish authorities in real-time using established communication channels.

“This is another report from our Air Force commander. We are clarifying all available data and analyzing the details of this Russian attack,” Zelensky said. “During the night, Ukrainian forces were informing the Polish side about Russian drone activity through appropriate channels.”

Zelensky stated that the first recorded incursion into Polish airspace occurred at approximately 00:50 Kyiv time. Ukrainian officials believe that the drones used Belarusian airspace while heading toward Poland.

“At around 00:50 Kyiv time, the state border between Ukraine and Poland was crossed by a Russian drone for the first time,” he added.

Furthermore, Zelensky revealed that according to updated information, as many as two dozen Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace overnight. The number of drones that penetrated into Polish territory and flew deeper inside may be higher than initially reported.

“Based on updated data, around two dozen Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace overnight. We are confirming this,” Zelensky noted. “Our air defense forces destroyed more than 380 Russian drones of various types — at least 250 of them were ‘Shahed’ drones. The exact types will be confirmed after debris analysis.”