Poland shoots down Russian 'suicide' drones as Nato jets scrambled following 'unprecedented violation' of airspace

Described as an "unprecedented violation" of Polish airspace, the strikes mark the first direct intervention by the Nato alliance since the Ukraine war began in 2022.

Following the intervention shortly after midnight UK time, a Polish military command said "weapons have been used, and operations are underway to locate the downed targets" after its airspace was "repeatedly violated".

It marked a notable escalation in aggression by Russia, with Nato fighters deployed in neighbouring Slovakia and Romania following the aerial threat.

It has been described as a "premeditated" move by Mr Putin and an "act of aggression" towards Nato nations.

Four airports in Poland, including its largest - Warsaw, were temporarily closed according to Reuters, with citizens told to remain indoors.

Military sources also suggest US F35 jets were also involved in the mission.

Read more: Trump warning to Qatar 'too late' as Hamas leadership survive Israeli strikes on Doha

Read more: Starmer to meet Israeli president in Downing Street day after condemning Doha attack

Russia is yet to issue a statement on the matter.

It comes as the Ukrainian Air Force took to Telegram to note that drones were heading west and threatening the city of Zamosc.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk added that his country's airspace was “violated by a huge number of Russian drones”.

“Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down. I am in constant communication with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies,” he added in a statement.

In a statement on X, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said drones had been detected in Polish airspace following a Russian attack on Ukraine.

The incident saw a "huge number" of drones enter Polish airspace, with suggestions the drones had mistakenly entered the country dismissed by Poland.

It follows confirmation that the missiles entered deep into Polish territory during the early hours of Wednesday.

"There was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace," it wrote in a post.

"This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens," it added.

It comes as Ukrainian Telegram accounts continue to post updates to citizens, with Ukrainian armed forces warning residents of incoming drones and cruise missiles overnight.

Mr Tusk is "present at the scene of the operations", Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said during the early hours of Wednesday.

Tusk insisted Polish military forces "deployed weapons against the objects" - the "objects" in question being Russian "drone-type" aircraft.

The aggression by Russia also elicited a response from Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

Mr Nawrocki informed media that he will lead another briefing at the National Seucrity Bureau in the coming hours which will see Mr Tusk in attendance.

In a post on social media X, Polish command said the drones shot down "posed a real threat" to national safety.

Describing the incident, the post explained that the drones had entered Poland's airspace before being shot down, with efforts now underway by the military to identify the drone crash sites.

"Polish and allied forces and assets remain fully prepared for further operations," the post read.

It comes as Poland's main airport posted online to insist flights had once again begun operating as usual in and out of the country.

"The airport remains open, but no flight operations are currently taking place," it says in a statement on X.