Poland has become the first NATO member to engage Russian military drones over its territory, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On Wednesday, Polish and NATO forces intercepted and shot down 19 Russian drones that entered Polish airspace during a large-scale Russian aerial assault on Ukraine. The operation involved Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS planes, and NATO-operated refueling aircraft, as reported by Reuters.
The drones, some reportedly originating from Belarus, were detected over several Polish regions, including Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin. In response, Poland temporarily shut down at least three airports, including Warsaw's Chopin Airport, and advised residents in risk-prone areas to stay indoors, according to Reuters.
