Dutch F-35 helped Poland shoot down Russian drones in Polish airspace

The Polish Air Force shot down several drones in Polish airspace. According to the Polish military, the devices involved were Russian drones used in an attack on Ukraine. Dutch F-35 fighter jets participated in the operation, which has now been completed, the Polish military reported on X. Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel called the Russian intrusion of NATO airspace unacceptable.

“We thank NATO and the Netherlands Air Force, whose F-35 fighters helped ensure safety in Polish skies tonight,” the Polish military said. Dutch F-35 fighter jets have been helping to monitor NATO airspace over Eastern Europe since September 1.

"The Nehterlands fully supports Poland," Foreign Minister Van Weel (VVD) said on X. "NATO must remain ready, and stricter sanctions should put greater pressure on Russia's war economy." The Dutch Ministry of Defense has so far not responded to the situation, despite repeated requests for information, ANP reported at 9:11 a.m..

The Polish army called the Russian drones in its airspace “an act of aggression that poses a threat to our citizens.” The local authorities are searching for debris from downed drowns in several locations and have so far found a damaged drone near the village of Czosnowka in the east of the country, a few dozen kilometers from the border of Belarus.

It is not yet clear how many drones were involved, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke of a “huge number,” posting on X. “Last night, the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down.”

The Polish government is currently in an emergency meeting. Prime Minister Donald Tusk also informed NATO chief Mark Rutte of the situation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least eight strike drones were aimed toward Poland. He called the Russian strike on NATO territory “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”