Russian drones attacked Poland from Belarus, but Minsk says it “helped”
10 September 2025 12:49
After a nighttime attack by Russian drones on Poland from the territory of Belarus, Minsk made a cynical statement: it allegedly helped Polish forces shoot down the drones that were actually launched from Belarusian territory. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Onet and the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
The drones came directly from Belarus
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed new details of the incident:
“Nineteen violations, specific violations, were recorded and accurately tracked. This is, of course, not the final data. The direction from which the drones came is new in the worst sense of the word. This is the first time in this war that they did not come from Ukraine, as a result of mistakes or minor Russian provocations. For the first time, a significant number of drones came directly from Belarus.”
Thus, for the first time, Poland faced a massive air violation emanating from the territory of a neighboring state that is formally an ally of Russia but makes statements about “supporting” Polish forces.
Minsk’s cynical statement
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported that the country allegedly provided Poland with data on the approach of Russian drones, which allowed it to respond quickly. First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika clarified:
“Through the available channels of interaction, from 23:00 on September 9 to 4:00 on September 10, our on-duty forces and means exchanged information on the air and radar situation with the on-duty forces and means of Poland and the Republic of Lithuania. Thus, they notified them of the approach of unknown aircraft to the territory of their countries. This allowed the Polish side to respond promptly to the actions of the drones by sending its regular forces into the air.”
According to him, some of the “lost” drones were destroyed by air defense forces over the territory of Belarus.
Poland’s reaction
The Polish government emphasized that the drone attack was a serious provocation against the country’s security. Tusk emphasized the need to remain vigilant and follow emergency response procedures:
“This is the first time that a significant number of drones have come not from Ukraine, but directly from Belarus. We carefully record all violations and are ready to repel such provocations in the future.”
The prime minister warned against panic among citizens and urged them to rely only on official reports from the Polish army.
What happened
On the night of September 10, Polish airspace was repeatedly violated by Russian drones during Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Drones that could pose a threat were destroyed. The incident took place in several regions of Poland:
- Czosnówka near Biała Podlaska
- A residential building in Wyrzyka, Lublin Oblast
- Near Mnyszkow (Łódź Voivodeship)
- At the cemetery in Czesznyky (Lubelskie Voivodeship).
A Russian drone or its fragments damaged the roof of a residential building in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in the village of Wyrzyków Wola near Włodawa and a car parked nearby. No one was injured.
“We don’t know the exact details yet. We don’t know if it was the drone itself that fell on the building and damaged the roof and ceiling, or if it was the drone debris. As far as I understand from the residents, people heard an explosion and saw Polish fighter jets. The situation is quite complicated and disturbing. There is indeed a great deal of anxiety among the residents,” said Mariusz Zanko, Mayor of the Włodawa Poviat.
The Polish Air Navigation Agency reported that Polish airspace, with the exception of the Lublin area, has resumed operation.
NATO does not recognize drones in Poland as an attack by Russia
NATO does not consider the intrusion of Russian drones into Poland last night as an attack on an Alliance member state, Reuters reports, citing a NATO source.
According to the source, initial reports indicate “a deliberate intrusion of six to ten Russian drones.”
“This was the first time that NATO aircraft attacked potentially dangerous targets in the ally’s airspace,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the source added, “NATO does not consider the invasion of Russian drones into Poland to be an attack.”
It is indicated that Polish F-16 fighters, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS long-range radar detection aircraft and refueling aircraft under NATO control took part in the drone destruction operation.
Meanwhile, a NATO spokesman released an official statement on the Russian attack:
“Overnight, numerous drones entered Polish airspace and were met by Polish and NATO air defenses. The NATO Secretary General is in contact with the Polish leadership. NATO is in close consultation with Poland”.
