On Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the afternoon, the Armed Forces Operational Command issued a statement regarding the threat of a drone attack in western Ukraine:
“Attention, due to the threat of strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the regions of Ukraine bordering the Republic of Poland, military aviation operations have begun in our airspace.”
“In order to ensure the security of our airspace, the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures. Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
“These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing the airspace and protecting citizens, especially in the areas adjacent to the threatened region.”
“The Armed Forces Operational Command is monitoring the current situation, and subordinate forces and assets remain in full readiness for immediate response.”
❗️Uwaga, ze względu na zagrożenie uderzeniami bezzałogowych statków powietrznych (BSP) w regionach Ukrainy graniczących z RP, rozpoczęło się operowanie wojskowego lotnictwa w naszej przestrzeni powietrznej.
W celu zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa naszej przestrzeni powietrznej Dowódca… pic.twitter.com/AMAIyznaN1
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) September 13, 2025
Polish Air Navigation Services Agency:
“Due to military aviation operations, the Lublin airport and the controlled zone around the airport have been closed for air operations. We will provide updates on the situation as it develops.”
Z powodu działań lotnictwa wojskowego lotnisko w Lublinie oraz strefa kontrolowana wokół lotniska zostały zamknięte dla operacji lotniczych. Będziemy informować na bieżąco o rozwoju sytuacji
— PANSA (@PANSA_PL) September 13, 2025
Prime Minister Donald Tusk:
“Due to the threat posed by Russian drones operating over Ukraine near the Polish border, preventive aviation operations – both Polish and allied – have begun in our airspace. Ground-based air defense systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
W związku z zagrożeniem ze strony rosyjskich dronów operujących nad Ukrainą w pobliżu granicy z Polską, w naszej przestrzeni rozpoczęło się prewencyjne operowanie lotnictwa – polskiego i sojuszniczego. Naziemne systemy obrony powietrznej osiągnęły stan najwyższej gotowości.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 13, 2025
💬 Premier @DonaldTusk👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/9PAvJxCVWX
— Kancelaria Premiera (@PremierRP) September 13, 2025
Government Security Center (RCB):
“Attention! RCB Alert! Threat of an air attack. Exercise particular caution. Follow the instructions of the authorities. Await further announcements. The RCB Alert has been sent to recipients in the following counties: Chełm, Chełm County, Krasnystaw, Łęczna, Świdnik, Włodawa (Lublin Voivodeship). Follow official announcements from the State Fire Service, the Police, and the Armed Forces Operational Command.”
‼️Uwaga! Alert RCB‼️
„Zagrożenie atakiem z powietrza. Zachowaj szczególną ostrożność. Stosuj się do poleceń służb. Oczekuj dalszych komunikatów. ”
Alert RCB został przesłany do odbiorców na terenie powiatów: Chełm, chełmski, krasnostawski, łęczyński, świdnicki, włodawski… pic.twitter.com/QGvroeMRtK
— Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (@RCB_RP) September 13, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, who is in Kyiv, on the air raid alert in the Ukrainian capital:
Kijów, chwila po alarmie dronowym. pic.twitter.com/rTzdemNpRz
— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) September 13, 2025
Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk:
“Due to the operation of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles near the Polish border, the Operational Commander has decided to scramble helicopters and fighter jets. We are in constant contact with our allies. Please follow the announcements of the Armed Forces Operational Command and the Government Security Center.”
W związku z operowaniem rosyjskich bezzałogowych obiektów powietrznych blisko granicy RP, dowódca operacyjny zdecydował o poderwaniu śmigłowców oraz myśliwców. Jesteśmy w stałym kontakcie z naszymi sojusznikami. Prosimy stosować się do komunikatów służb @DowOperSZ oraz @RCB_RP
— Cezary Tomczyk (@CTomczyk) September 13, 2025
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Karol Nawrocki:
“I am being kept regularly informed about the preventive monitoring of our airspace. Allied unity in action! Always rely on the announcements of the Polish Armed Forces and Polish services.”
Jestem na bieżąco informowany o prewencyjnym monitorowaniu naszej przestrzeni powietrznej. Jedność sojusznicza w działaniu!
Zawsze proszę polegać na komunikatach Wojska Polskiego i polskich służb.@DowOperSZ— Karol Nawrocki (@NawrockiKn) September 13, 2025
Member of the European Parliament Michał Szczerba:
“Due to the threat posed by Russian drones operating over Ukraine near the Polish border, preventive aviation operations – both Polish and allied – have begun in our airspace. Ground-based air defense systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
W związku z zagrożeniem ze strony 🇷🇺dronów operujących nad 🇺🇦 w pobliżu granicy z 🇵🇱, w naszej przestrzeni rozpoczęło się prewencyjne operowanie lotnictwa – polskiego i sojuszniczego. Naziemne systemy obrony powietrznej osiągnęły stan najwyższej gotowości.@donaldtusk #WeAreNATO
— Michał Szczerba (@MichalSzczerba) September 13, 2025
Armed Forces Operational Command:
“The operation of Polish and allied aviation in our airspace has been completed.”
“The activated ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activity.”
“The Polish Armed Forces are continuously monitoring the situation in the territory of Ukraine and remain in constant readiness to ensure the security of Polish airspace.”
Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk:
“The situation has returned to normal. We thank our allies for the joint operation of monitoring and safeguarding Polish skies. Information from the Operational Command has been immediately relayed to the Government Security Center.”
Sytuacja wróciła do normy. Dziękujemy sojusznikom za wspólną operację monitorowania i dozorowania polskiego nieba. Informacje z dowództwa operacyjnego zostały niezwłocznie przekazane do Rządowego Centrum Bezpieczeństwa. https://t.co/L9BcX5dFQN
— Cezary Tomczyk (@CTomczyk) September 13, 2025
Polish Air Navigation Services Agency:
“The Lublin airport has resumed air operations following the completion of military aviation activities.”
Lotnisko w Lublinie wznowiło operacje lotnicze po zakończeniu działań lotnictwa wojskowego
— PANSA (@PANSA_PL) September 13, 2025
Prime Minister Donald Tusk:
“The state of threat has been lifted. I thank everyone involved in the operation in the air and on the ground. We remain vigilant.”
Stan zagrożenia odwołany. Dziękuję wszystkim zaangażowanym w operację w powietrzu i na ziemi. Pozostajemy czujni.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 13, 2025
Government Security Center:
“Attention! RCB Alert! ATTENTION! The threat of an air attack has been lifted. Follow the announcements of the authorities. The RCB Alert has been sent to recipients in the following counties: Chełm, Chełm County, Krasnystaw, Łęczna, Świdnik, Włodawa (Lublin Voivodeship).”
‼️Uwaga! Alert RCB‼️
„UWAGA! Odwołanie zagrożenia atakiem z powietrza. Śledź komunikaty służb.”
Alert RCB został przesłany do odbiorców na terenie powiatów: Chełm, chełmski, krasnostawski, łęczyński, świdnicki, włodawski (województwo lubelskie). pic.twitter.com/9VwbFs7v4F
— Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (@RCB_RP) September 13, 2025
Romanian Minister Of Defence Ionuț Moșteanu:
Just a brief summary.
The Romanian Air Force intercepted today, September 13, a Russian drone entered the national airspace.
Two F-16 aircraft were urgently picked up from Base 86 Fetesti and followed the drone until it disappeared from the radar, in the area of Chilia Veche.
The situation was permanently monitored and the population was not in danger.
The mission is ongoing and we will be back with more details.
Romania defends its airspace and remains vigilant against Russian aggression.
Romanian Ministry Of Defence:
Two F-16 fighter aircraft from the 86th Air Base in Fetești took off on Saturday, September 13, at 18:05 to monitor the air situation at the border with Ukraine, following Russian air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure on the Danube.
At 18:23, the F-16 aircraft detected a drone in national airspace, which they tracked until approximately 20 km southwest of Chilia Veche, where it disappeared from the radar.
The drone did not fly over inhabited areas and did not pose an imminent danger to the safety of the population.
At the time of the statement, the situation is being monitored by the Ministry of National Defense’s radar systems and the aircraft in the air.
Specialist teams are prepared to begin searching for possible debris of the aerial vehicle.
Forțele Aeriene au interceptat o dronă în spațiul aerian 🇷🇴
2 aeronave F-16🇷🇴din Baza 86 Aeriană au decolat azi la ora 18:05, pentru monitorizarea situației aeriene la granița cu 🇺🇦, ca urmare a unor atacuri aeriene 🇷🇺asupra infrastructurii 🇺🇦 de la Dunărehttps://t.co/uGPjZVDt07 pic.twitter.com/95XooGzfX5— MApN (@MApNRomania) September 13, 2025
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
Today, Romania scrambled combat aircraft because of a Russian drone in its airspace. According to current data, the drone penetrated about 10 kilometers into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes. Also today, Poland responded militarily to the threat of Russian attack drones.
In fact, Russian drones have been in different regions of Ukraine all day, including the northern regions, practically along the border with Belarus. According to preliminary information, Belarusian airspace was also used for entry into Ukraine’s airspace toward Volyn.
The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated. This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia – and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses.
That is why action must always be preventive, based on the principle that there are no minor military threats from those who are accustomed to destroying the independence and lives of others. Russia is accustomed to this and must feel the consequences.
Sanctions against Russia are needed. Tariffs against Russian trade are needed. Collective defense is needed – and Ukraine has proposed to its partners the creation of just such a system of protection. Do not wait for dozens of “shaheds” and ballistic missiles before finally making decisions.
Today, Romania scrambled combat aircraft because of a Russian drone in its airspace. According to current data, the drone penetrated about 10 kilometers into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes. Also today, Poland responded militarily to the…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 13, 2025
UPDATE (14th September)
Armed Forces Operational Command:
Regarding the military activity of September 13, 2025, related to the threat of violation of our airspace, we would like to inform you that all available measures were taken to confirm the radar systems’ indications of a possible violation of Polish airspace.
The actions taken did not confirm the radar systems’ indications, and therefore, the violation of Polish airspace.
It should be emphasized that the system recordings may have been due to prevailing weather conditions, but required our response due to the presence of objects located near our border. A similar situation occurred yesterday in Romania, where radar systems’ indications were also recorded and the air defense system was activated.
All decisions made during the execution of tasks by our forces and resources were aimed at:
• confirming the data obtained from radar systems,
• ensuring maximum safety for citizens,
• counteracting the potential consequences of a possible violation of airspace by an unidentified airborne object.
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces remains in constant readiness to respond, and our actions are focused on ensuring the safety of citizens.
W odniesieniu do działalności wojska z 13 września 2025 r. związanej z zagrożeniem naruszenia naszej przestrzeni powietrznej, informujemy, że podjęto działania wszystkimi dostępnymi sposobami w celu potwierdzenia wskazań systemów radiolokacyjnych dotyczących możliwego naruszenia… pic.twitter.com/7nh5XPLlmg
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) September 14, 2025