Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country's prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country's air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said early Wednesday that his country downed multiple Russian drones that breached Poland’s airspace overnight. “Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones.

The response from the U.S. came hours after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the country’s airspace was “violated by a huge number of Russian drones” on Tuesday night and any drones that “posed a direct threat” were shot down. The incident marked the first time a NATO member has opened fire during the Ukraine war.

The drone barrage forced Polish airports to close. Karol Nawrocki, the president, called it “an unprecedented moment in the history of NATO and Poland.” In a speech to parliament, Mr Tusk called for the “full mobilisation” of NATO members,

Warsaw, Poland — Poland said Wednesday that multiple Russian drones entered its territory over the course of several hours and were shot down with help from NATO allies, describing the incursion as an “act of aggression” carried out during a wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine.

Multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland in what European officials described Wednesday as a deliberate provocation, causing NATO to send fighter jets to shoot them down. A NATO spokesman said it was the first time the alliance confronted a potential threat in its airspace.

Poland downs drones in its airspace, becoming first NATO member to fire during war in Ukraine - Nation and World News | Hawaii Tribune-Herald