Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a grave allegation that Russian drones flew over Poland on September 10, a claim that, if verified, highlights the significant risk of the conflict escalating and directly involving NATO. This accusation serves as a stark warning to the Western alliance about the dangers on its eastern flank.
According to Zelensky, the incident involved a massive swarm of 92 Russian drones, the majority of which were intercepted by Ukrainian forces. However, he asserted that 19 of the drones managed to cross the border and penetrate the airspace of eastern Poland, a NATO member state.
This claim puts a spotlight on the potential for miscalculation or deliberate provocation that could trigger NATO’s collective defense clause, Article 5. It comes as Zelensky also reported a separate airspace dispute with neighboring Hungary, further illustrating the fragility of regional security.
Zelensky is using these incidents to bolster his case for more powerful military aid. He confirmed that he has secured an agreement with US President Donald Trump to pursue new deals for long-range weapons, which he argues are needed to deter and counter such aggressive actions. A Ukrainian delegation will soon be in the US to finalize the purchase.
To defend against these very threats, Ukraine has been receiving advanced air defense systems. Zelensky noted the recent delivery of a US-made Patriot system from Israel. His claim about the Polish incursion serves as a powerful argument that providing such systems to Ukraine is a direct contribution to protecting NATO’s own skies.