Poland Declares Russian Drone Incursion a Deliberate Act – 12 September 2025
Poland rejects U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of an accidental Russian drone crossing, calling it a deliberate violation during heightened Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Raja Awais Ali
9/12/20251 min read
On 12 September 2025, Poland’s government firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a recent Russian drone intrusion into Polish airspace “could have been a mistake.” Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X (formerly Twitter), “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it.”
During the night of 9–10 September, multiple Russian-made drones crossed into Polish territory. Polish and NATO forces swiftly responded, shooting several down. Officials confirmed at least nineteen drone violations, describing the flight paths as clearly deliberate. This marks one of the rare occasions in which a NATO member directly engaged Russian drones during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Cezary Tomczyk, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence (Deputy Defence Minister), stated there was “no question of a mistake—this was a deliberate Russian attack.” Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski highlighted the broader offensive, noting that Russia simultaneously launched over 400 drones and 40 missiles against Ukraine, making an accidental crossing highly improbable.
The incident has heightened concerns about NATO’s eastern defenses as Germany, France, and other European allies voiced support for Poland and pledged to strengthen joint air-policing operations. Warsaw has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address what it views as a blatant violation of sovereignty.
Russia has denied intentional wrongdoing, claiming the drones may have strayed off course, but Polish leaders categorically dismiss that explanation, arguing that the scale and coordination of the attack reveal a calculated provocation. Analysts believe the operation was designed to test NATO’s readiness and political resolve.
Poland maintains that the drone intrusion was intentional and provocative, not a navigational error. The event has intensified international scrutiny of Russia’s tactics and prompted NATO allies to reassess both their defensive posture and their response to potential future incursions.