World leaders react after Russian drones breach Polish airspace

Poland said on Wednesday it scrambled its own and NATO air defenses to shoot down drones that violated its airspace during a Russian attack on western Ukraine—the first time since the war began that Warsaw deployed assets over its territory. 

Soldiers comb a field for debris from a Russian drone that went down in south-central Poland on Wednesday.

Photo: PAP/Marian Zubrzycki

The incident quickly dominated headlines in Poland and abroad, drawing sharp reactions from world leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incursion as “simply unacceptable,” calling on Russia to put an end to “this reckless escalation."

The incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace during an attack carried out by Russia against Ukraine is simply unacceptable. I condemn it in the strongest terms. I call on Russia to put an end to this reckless escalation. I reiterate to the Polish people and their…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 10, 2025

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the violation as "a test of the defence capabilities of NATO countries," saying "it is hard to believe that this was a mere coincidence."

The night-time Russian drone attack, which also struck Polish territory, is a test of the defence capabilities of NATO countries. It is hard to believe that this was a mere coincidence. Putin’s regime threatens all of Europe and systematically probes how far it can go. It is…

— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) September 10, 2025

Across the Atlantic, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson called the incursion “an act of war.”

Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland with Iranian shahed drones less than a week after President Trump hosted President Nawrocki at the White House. This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked…

— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) September 10, 2025

Michał Owczarek has more.

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