NATO scrambles jets after Russian drones enter Polish airspace

NATO scrambled fighter jets after multiple Russian drones crossed into Polish territory during overnight strikes on Ukraine, raising fears of the war spilling into allied territory.

Polish officials said 19 violations were recorded over several hours, with nine crash sites found deep inside the country.

One house in the Lublin region was damaged, though no casualties were reported.

Dutch F-35s helped intercept some drones in what NATO called the first time its aircraft had engaged potential threats inside allied airspace.

Poland requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, while consultations were held under NATO’s Article 4.

European leaders said the incident was a deliberate provocation. “Russia’s war is escalating, not ending,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, calling for tougher sanctions.

Russia denied targeting Poland, while Belarus claimed the drones lost course after being jammed. Polish leaders rejected this, saying the incursion appeared intentional.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the drone violations an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, in his first comment, posted on social media: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!” He was expected to speak with Poland’s president later in the day.

The incident follows Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began, adding to concerns in Europe that the conflict could expand beyond Ukraine’s borders.