Poland downs drones, the first NATO member to open fire during Ukraine war

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Poland's military said it scrambled its own and NATO allied air defences to shoot down Russian drones on Wednesday (September 10) after they crossed from neighbouring Ukraine, the first time in the Ukraine war that Warsaw has engaged Russian assets in its airspace. (3613-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-STATEMENT)

INTERNET (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE – Access all) (MUTE)

1. VARIOUS SCREENSHOTS OF TRANSLATED SOCIAL MEDIA POST BY POLAND’S ARMED FORCES OPERATIONAL COMMAND IN POLISH, READING (Polish/ translation by X):

“Attention, during today’s attack by the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on targets located in Ukraine, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects. / An operation is underway to identify and neutralise these objects. On the orders of the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, weaponry has been deployed, and services are actively working to locate the downed objects. / We stress that the military operation is ongoing, and we urge people to remain at home. The most affected areas are the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie provinces. / The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, with subordinate forces and resources remaining fully prepared for immediate response. / #PolaczeniDlaBezpieczenstwa #JointForSecurity”

Video showed police and border guard officials patrolling an area in Poland's Zamosc county after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday (September 10) that at least eight Russian drones were aimed towards Poland during Russian attacks overnight.

Poland shot down drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine on Wednesday, believed to be the first time a member of the alliance has fired shots in the war. Poland called the incursion "an act of aggression".

A total of around 415 drones and more than 40 missiles were deployed in the attack on Ukraine, which spanned 15 Ukrainian regions, killed one person in the Zhytomyr region and injured three more in Khmelnytskyi region, he said. (3677-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-SITE)

ZAMOSC COUNTY, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (TVN - No use Poland) (PART NIGHT SHOTS)

2. (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF POLISH POLICE AND BORDER GUARD VEHICLES PATROLLING AREA

3. VARIOUS OF SITE WHERE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)S FELL

Police and border guard officials patrolled a site in south-eastern Poland, after the country shot down drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine on Wednesday (September 10).

The NATO member calling the incursion "an act of aggression" and marking the first time a member of the alliance has fired shots in the war. (3721-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-MORE)

CZESNIKI, LUBLIN VOIVODESHIP, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (POLSAT NEWS - No use Poland)

4. POLICE OFFICER PATROLLING AREA WHERE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)S FELL

5. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)S ON FIELD

6. VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND MILITARY PATROLLING ON SITE

Poland is ready to react to any attacks or provocations, the Polish prime minister said on Wednesday (September 10), after the country shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a widespread attack in western Ukraine.

Donald Tusk called the situation "serious" and said Poland should prepare for such scenarios. (3662-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-MEETING)

WARSAW, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (POLISH PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE - Access all)

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRIME MINISTER, DONALD TUSK, SAYING: (EDITOR'S NOTE: BLACK FRAMES AT SOURCE)

“We are most likely dealing with a large-scale provocation. But at the same time, we are in consultation with our allies. I am in constant contact with the NATO Secretary General. This is so that in the coming hours and days and in the future we can respond to this type of threat as effectively as we did tonight.”

Poland's Warsaw Chopin airport on Wednesday (September 10) said due to actions of state services and the military to ensure safety, the airspace over part of Poland, including the airport, has been temporarily closed.

"The airport remains open, but no flight operations are currently taking place," Chopin airport said in a post on social media platform X. (3634-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-AIRPORT)

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8. TRANSLATED SCREENGRAB OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST BY CHOPIN AIRPORT ANNOUNCING AIRSPACE CLOSURE, READING (Polish/translation by X):

“Important announcement for passengers using @ChopinAirport.

Due to the actions of state services and the military to ensure safety, the airspace over part of the country, including over Chopin Airport, has been temporarily closed. / The airport remains open, but no flight operations are currently taking place. All passengers are asked to follow official government announcements and airline updates.”

WARSAW, POLAND (FILE – AUGUST 4, 2021) (REUTERS – Access all)

9. VARIOUS OF PLANES ON TARMAC IN FRONT OF CHOPIN AIRPORT BUILDING

Poland scrambled its own and NATO air defences to shoot down drones in its airspace on Wednesday (September 10) after a Russian air attack on Ukraine, marking the first time that Warsaw has got involved in the war in its neighbouring nation as it called the violation an act of aggression.

Flightradar24 tracking data showed airplanes avoiding the Warsaw region in the early morning of Wednesday, after Chopin airport in Warsaw, the country's largest, announced that its airspace was closed due to military actions. (3615-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-FLIGHTRADAR)

INTERNET (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (FLIGHTRADAR24.COM - No resale / Must not obscure logo / Must on-screen courtesy FLIGHTRADAR24.COM) (MUTE)

10. SCREEN RECORDING FROM 0300GMT SHOWING PLANES AVOIDING AIRSPACE OVER WARSAW

11. SCREEN RECORDING FROM 0000GMT SHOWING NATO MRTT REFUELLING AIRCRAFT (MMF19) PATROLLING WARSAW AIRSPACE BEFORE FLYING OFF AND POLISH AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING & CONTROL PLANE (THUNER1) PATROLLING WARSAW AIRSPACE AMIDST CLOSURE OF AIRSPACE

Poland’s army called the violation of its airspace during Russian attack on Ukraine 'act of aggression' as its territorial army (WOT) said on Wednesday (September 10) it has introduced a shortened time for reporting for duty for soldiers due to airspace violations overnight.

WOT, a formation made up of soldiers who combine military service with other jobs, has shortened reporting time to six hours in Poland's four easternmost provinces, it said in a post on X. (3632-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-STATEMENT-UPDATE)

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12. TWO SCREENSHOTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST FROM POLAND’S ARMED FORCES OPERATIONAL COMMAND ON X, READING (Polish/English translation by X):

"As a result of today's attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory, there was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by drones. This is an act of aggression that poses a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”

On the order of the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, defensive procedures were immediately initiated.

Polish and allied assets monitored dozens of objects by radar, and considering those that might pose a threat, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces decided to neutralize them. Some of the drones that intruded into our airspace were shot down. Efforts are underway to locate and locate the potential impact sites of these objects.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, and Polish and allied forces and resources remain fully ready for further operations."

13. SCREENSHOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST FROM POLAND’S ARMED FORCES OPERATIONAL COMMAND ON X, READING (English):

"As a result of today's attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory, there was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by drones. This is an act of aggression that poses a real threat to the safety of our citizens."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday (September 10) that at least eight drones had targeted Poland during Russian attacks overnight that deployed a total of around 415 drones and over 40 missiles.

"Today there was another step of escalation – Russian-Iranian 'shaheds' operated in the airspace of Poland, in NATO airspace. It was not just one 'shahed' that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland," Zelenskiy wrote on X. (3659-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-ZELENSKIY)

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14. SCREENSHOT OF PART OF POST ON X BY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, READING (English):

"Rescuers are now working in Volochysk, Khmelnytskyi region, where the Russians struck an ordinary sewing workshop with a missile. As of now, three people are reported injured. This is just one of the sites of today’s massive Russian attack: about 415 drones of various types and more than 40 cruise and ballistic missiles. Fifteen of our regions were under attack. Sadly, one person was killed as a result of shelling in the Zhytomyr region. My condolences to the family and loved ones.

Moscow always pushes the boundaries of what is possible, and if it does not encounter a strong reaction, it remains at the new level of escalation. Today there was another step of escalation – Russian-Iranian “shaheds” operated in the airspace of Poland, in NATO airspace. It was not just one “shahed” that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland.

An extremely dangerous precedent for Europe. Whether there will be further steps depends entirely on the coordination and strength of the response. The Russians must feel the consequences. Russia must feel that the war cannot be expanded and will have to be ended."

15. SCREENSHOT OF PART OF POST, READING (English):

"Moscow always pushes the boundaries of what is possible, and if it does not encounter a strong reaction, it remains at the new level of escalation. Today there was another step of escalation – Russian-Iranian 'shaheds' operated in the airspace of Poland, in NATO airspace. It was not just one 'shahed' that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland."

Ukraine's foreign minister said on Wednesday (September 10) that Russian drones flying into Poland during an attack on Ukraine show Russian President Vladimir Putin's impunity and his expansion of the war.

"Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West," Andrii Sybiha said on X. (3656-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-SYBIHA)

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16. SCREEN SHOT OF PART OF POST ON X BY UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANDRII SYBIHA, READING (English):

"Russian drones flying into Poland during the massive attack on Ukraine show that Putin's sense of impunity keeps growing because he was not properly punished for his previous crimes. Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West. The longer he faces no strength in response, the more aggressive he gets. A weak response now will provoke Russia even more—and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe."

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russian drones had violated Polish airspace on Wednesday (September 10) calling the attack "reckless".

"Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland," Von der Leyen told members of the European Parliament.

She said that the EU was now working on a 19th sanctions package, looking at ways to phase out Russian fossil fuels faster. (3665-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-VONDERLEYEN)

STRASBOURG, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN SAYING:

"But we have all seen what Russia means by diplomacy. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin refuses to meet (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy. Last week, Russia launched the largest number of drones and ballistic missiles in a single attack. Yesterday, there was a missile attack on a village in Donetsk, targeting people waiting to pick up their pensions. More than 20 were killed. And just today, we have seen a reckless and unprecedented violation of Poland and Europe's airspace by more than 10 Russian Shahed drones. Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland."

18. VARIOUS OF LAWMAKERS APPLAUDING IN EU PARLIAMENT CHAMBER

Belarus said on Wednesday (September 10) that it had shot down some drones which went astray due to electronic jamming during an exchange of strikes between Russia and Ukraine, and that Minsk had informed Poland and Lithuania of the approach of the drones.

The statement by Belarus Chief of the General Staff Major General Pavel Muraveiko did not say whose drones went astray. (3694-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-BELARUS)

UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION, BELARUS (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (BELARUSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - Do not obscure logo)

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELARUSIAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE, CHIEF OF BELARUSIAN GENERAL STAFF, PAVEL MURAVEIKO, SAYING:

"During the overnight exchange of drone strikes between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the duty Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Belarus on duty continuously tracked drones that had lost their track as a result of the impact of the parties' electronic warfare assets. Some of the drones who lost their track were destroyed by our country's Air Defence Forces over the territory of the republic."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday (September 10) that Poland was deliberately targeted in a Russian drone attack overnight.

"Increasing evidence indicates that this movement, this direction of strike, was no accident," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

"Ukraine is also ready to help Poland build an effective system of warning and protection against such Russian threats." (3691-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-ZELENSKIY-MORE)

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20. SCREENSHOT OF SCROLL THROUGH POST ON X BY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, READING (English):

"More information is coming in about the intrusion of Russian attack drones into Polish territory. As of now, it’s known about 8 drones. Increasing evidence indicates that this movement, this direction of strike, was no accident. There have been previous incidents of individual Russian drones crossing the border and traveling a short distance into neighboring countries. But this time, we are recording a much larger scale and deliberate targeting.

Ukraine is ready to provide Poland with all the necessary data available regarding this Russian strike. Ukraine is also ready to help Poland build an effective system of warning and protection against such Russian threats. It is clear that Russian aggression poses a danger to every independent nation in our region, and therefore only joint and coordinated action can guarantee reliable security.

The precedent of using combat aircraft from several European countries simultaneously to shoot down Russian weapons and protect human lives is highly significant. Ukraine has long proposed to its partners the creation of a joint air-defense system to ensure the guaranteed downing of “shaheds”, other drones, and missiles through the combined strength of our combat aviation and air defenses. Together, Europeans are always stronger. Russia must feel that the response to this escalatory step, and even more so to an attempt to humiliate one of Europe’s key countries, will be clear and strong from all partners."

WARSAW, POLAND (FILE - JANUARY 15, 2025) (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE - Access all)

21. ZELENSKIY AND POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK SHAKING HANDS WHILE POSING FOR PHOTO

Polish President Karol Nawrocki said on Wednesday (September 10) he decided to call a meeting of the National Security Council within 48 hours, as Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine. (3690-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-NAWROCKI)

WARSAW, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (POLISH PRESIDENTIAL HANDOUT - Access all)

22. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRESIDENT, KAROL NAWROCKI, SAYING:

“The news that we will have full information about what happened in Poland within 48 hours led me to the decision to convene the National Security Council within 48 hours. We must now have full information to be able to respond appropriately to the situation.”

British defence minister John Healey said on Wednesday (September 10) the violation of Polish and NATO airspace by Russian drones during an air attack on Ukraine was "reckless, unprecedented and dangerous."

Healey hosted a meeting between defence officials of the European Group of Five (E5) and Ukrainian defence minister Denys Shmyhal. (3712-UKRAINE-CRISIS/BRITAIN-DEFENCE-MEETING)

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (UK POOL - No use UK, except UK newspapers)

23. DEFENCE OFFICIALS FROM THE EUROPEAN GROUP OF FIVE DURING MEETING

24. WHITE FLASH

25. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH DEFENCE MINISTER, JOHN HEALEY, SAYING:

**PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING**

"Russia's actions are reckless, unprecedented, and dangerous. We totally condemn these attacks. And we say to President Putin, your aggression only strengthens the unity between NATO nations, and we will discuss this morning what additional support we can provide to Poland."

Poland is the closest it has been to open conflict since World War Two, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday (September 10) after the NATO member state shot down Russian drones over its territory.

He said Poland had asked NATO to open consultations under Article 4 of its treaty, which states that members of the Western military alliance will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened. (3748-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-PARLIAMENT)

WARSAW, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (POLISH PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE - Access all)

26. TUSK SPEAKING IN POLISH PARLIAMENT

27. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRIME MINISTER, DONALD TUSK, SAYING:

“This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two. We have a full-scale war beyond our Ukrainian-Russian border, but we already have something that goes beyond the bounds of mere provocations in our own skies. And perhaps today we need to say it again very loudly and clearly: Poland today has a political enemy who does not conceal his hostile intentions beyond its eastern border.”

A drone or similar object struck a residential building in Wyryki in eastern Poland on Wednesday (September 10) but nobody was injured, the local mayor told state-run news channel TVP Info. (3744-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-BUILDING)

WYRYKI, LUBLIN VOIVODESHIP, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (POLSAT NEWS - No use Poland)

28. DAMAGED ROOF AFTER RUSSIAN DRONES WERE SHOT DOWN OVER POLAND / POLICE OFFICER ON SITE

29. DEBRIS ON GROUND

30. DAMAGED ROOF

31. OFFICIALS GATHERED NEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

There was unease among the Polish public on Wednesday (Sept. 10) after the country's government said it had shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace overnight. (3751-UKRAINE-CRISIS/ATTACK-POLAND-VOXPOP)

SOPOT, POLAND (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

32. STREET SIGN, POLISH FLAG

33. PEOPLE IN PARK

34. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) 33-YEAR-OLD CARE WORKER, JULIAN KOLASA, SAYING:

"I felt a little, well, I didn't feel entirely safe, being here and knowing that Russia is kind of infiltrating our country here. We don't know why these drones appeared."

35. 27-YEAR-OLD BELARUSIAN JOURNALIST HANNAH WITH HER DOG 'KAI'

36. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 27-YEAR-OLD JOURNALIST FROM BELARUS, LIVING IN POLAND FOR FIVE YEARS, HANNAH (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"As a person from Belarus, I really worry that my country can be involved in such things as war. Like, it's already kind of involved in the war in Ukraine. I would not want, of course, this war to escalate to a European scale, let's say."

37. VARIOUS OF STONE EAGLE-SHAPED MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO VICTIMS OF NAZISM

38. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKER, JAKUB SWIDERSKI, SAYING:

"We should think about whether we're safe or not — not because a drone fell or not, but because maybe these drones are meant to make us feel unsafe and more threatened."

The violation of Poland's airspace by Russian drones was "absolutely reckless," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday (September 10), adding that a full assessment of the incident had not yet been made.

"Whether it was intentionally or not, it is absolutely reckless, it is absolutely dangerous. But the full assessment is ongoing," Rutte said.

"To Putin, my message is clear. Stop the war in Ukraine. Stop violating allied airspace. And know that we stand ready, that we are vigilant, and that we will defend every inch of NATO territory." (3768-UKRAINE-CRISIS/POLAND-ATTACK-NATO)

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (SEPTEMBER 10, 2025) (NATO - Access all)

39. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS

40. WHITE FRAME

41. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, MARK RUTTE, SAYING:

"But of course, whether it was intentional or not, it is absolutely reckless. It is absolutely dangerous. But as I said, the full assessment is ongoing. And to (Russian President) Putin, I mean, my message is clear. Stop the war in Ukraine. Stop the escalating war, which he is now basically mounting on innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure. Stop violating Allied airspace and know that we stand ready, that we are vigilant, and that we will defend every inch of NATO territory."

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FILE - APRIL 3, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

42. NATO FLAG FLYING

43. NATO SCULPTURE

44. NATO HEADQUARTERS EXTERIORS