On Thursday, September 11, 2025, in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz presented detailed information on the violations of Polish airspace and the actions taken by the Polish Armed Forces and their allies.
Photos: Ministry Of National Defence
“On the night of September 9–10, 2025, the Russian Federation carried out a massive drone and missile attack on targets in Ukraine. But it also did something unprecedented – there were multiple intentional violations of Polish airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles directed at Ukraine, which, however, reached Poland in what we consider to have been a deliberate manner. Today’s debate is not only to present information, but also a good moment to discuss further actions: about what is happening in the war started by the Russian Federation, about our support, our responses, about the North Atlantic Alliance, about the actions that need to be taken, those already being taken, and those that we will take together in the future,” said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland.
“I would like to begin with words of welcome and gratitude to those who—regardless of party affiliation, worldview, where we come from, or whom we vote for—are together our heroes and constitute the common denominator of the security of the Polish state. With us is the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukuła. With us is the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, General Maciej Klisz. Across Poland there are officers, NCOs, and soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces who tirelessly and steadfastly guard the borders of the Polish state’s security. They do not spare their health and, when history requires it, they do not spare their own blood and lives. To our commanders I extend words of respect and gratitude—I believe from all of us, no matter where we come from. These are the commanders who directly coordinated the operation during which, for the first time over NATO territory, Russian drones were shot down. General Maciej Klisz, the Operational Commander, personally issued the orders to use weapons and shoot down the foreign aircraft. This is an unprecedented situation in history. Never after the Second World War has there been such an operation, and since our accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, there has never been such a moment in this part of Europe,” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized in his address.
“My second words of thanks I would like to address, also, I believe, on behalf of us all, to our allies. That night we were not alone, unlike in many moments of our history. That night we stood with our NATO allies, with our friends from Ukraine, and with other countries such as Australia. In our airspace operated the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Together with us were the Italians, we were supported by German forces with their Patriot batteries deployed around Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport. Everything took place in consultation with the command in Brunssum. We were informed about everything, and we ourselves provided all the necessary information. Joint decisions, joint actions, coordination – NATO passed the test. NATO did not yield to Russian pressure. NATO demonstrated its unity,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
“Everything took place in consultation with the command in Brunssum. We were informed about everything, and we ourselves provided all the necessary information. Joint decisions, joint actions, coordination– NATO passed the test. (…) Our allies conducted with us an intensive dialogue, which continues,” said the Minister of National Defence, stressing that the Alliance had shown its unity and had not succumbed to Russian pressure. “Our allies conducted with us an intensive dialogue, which continues. Just a moment ago I concluded a conversation with the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to whom I once again expressed my gratitude for the support and the declaration of continued assistance,” the Deputy Prime Minister reported.
“As a result of the meeting between the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty was invoked, which concerns cooperation, consultations, and actions necessary to ensure the security of any member state. It is not standard for such unanimous consent of all allies to be reached so quickly. In its history, Poland has often heard words of solidarity and experienced empty gestures. Today we are faced with concrete commitments. The Dutch are accelerating the delivery to Poland of two of their three Patriot batteries. They are also deciding to deploy short-range air defense systems and anti-drone systems, sending 300 soldiers. The French and the British, meanwhile, have declared the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank by sending Rafale and Eurofighter aircraft,” emphasized the Minister of National Defence.
Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed to the need for political and social unity in the face of threats from the East.
“Searching for enemies where they do not exist makes no sense. The events of September 9 and 10, 2025 once again showed that the threat comes from the East, not from the West. Our enemies are in the East, and our allies are in the West. We may have various bilateral issues, we have our history, which we will never forget, and relations that require clarification, as well as actions that need to be taken. But this must never overshadow our strategy for today and tomorrow. Ensuring security does not mean looking to the past, but taking responsibility for the future. Therefore, the signal of support for Ukraine, the unity of NATO, and the determination of politicians and the strength of society in the fight against disinformation may become the best outcome of the difficult experience of the violation of our airspace. I am convinced that Poles will pass this test with flying colors – because we are a responsible, courageous, and unconquerable nation when we are united,” said the Minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, in his address to the Sejm, stressed the need for further modernization of the Polish Armed Forces. “We must develop anti-drone, missile defense, and air defense systems. Every element of these contracts contributes to building security in Polish airspace. It is costly, because defense is always more expensive than attack – launching a drone or missile costs many times less than shooting it down. That is why improving reconnaissance is crucial, so that we only defend against what truly poses a threat, and do not waste resources on decoys. This was one of the most difficult tasks faced that night by General Klisz and his team. That is why we are investing so intensively in observation and radar systems. The Barbara aerostats contracted last year will be able to detect targets from ground level up to several kilometers in altitude, even as small as an object with a surface area of 1 m². This is a technological breakthrough. In addition comes the modernization of radar stations, the development of radiotechnical troops, acoustic and anti-drone systems, as well as the ‘East Shield’ program, a modern concept of fortification and drone defense, supported by European funds. On September 9, the European Commission announced the largest support package in history for Poland – 43.7 billion EUR under the SAFE program. This is a clear signal that European security investments will be directed to Poland,” emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister.
On the morning of Wednesday, September 10, Polish airspace was violated by Russian drones. The Polish Armed Forces immediately activated defensive procedures – those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down. During the drone neutralization operation, Polish and allied aircraft, including Dutch F-35s, operated in Polish skies. Allied radar systems, in addition to Polish ones, also took part in tracking the positions of hostile drones (Polish military engaged Russian drones over Poland).
