Kyiv calls on NATO to decide to shoot down missiles and drones over Ukraine

Following the incursion of Russian drones into the territory of Poland, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on the Western allies to use the air defense assets of neighboring countries to shoot down targets over Ukraine.

The minister wrote on the social network X that the situation with the incursion of Russian drones into Poland indicates the need to make a decision that would allow using the air defense capabilities of neighboring countries to intercept drones and missiles in Ukrainian airspace, including those approaching NATO borders.

“Russian drones flying into Poland during the massive attack on Ukraine show that Putin’s sense of impunity keeps growing because he was not properly punished for his previous crimes. Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war, and testing the West. The longer he faces no strength in response, the more aggressive he gets. A weak response now will provoke Russia even more—and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe. This situation shows that finally the decision needs to be taken to enable partner air defense capabilities in neighboring countries to be used to intercept drones and missiles in the Ukrainian airspace, including those approaching NATO borders. Ukraine has suggested such a step for a long time. It needs to be taken for the sake of collective security,” Sybiha wrote.

He also called on partners to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defense in order to better protect itself from the growing number of Russian drones and missiles.

Sybiha also stated that a weak response to this incident would provoke Russia even more.

As reported, on the night of September 10, Poland confirmed the violation of its airspace by Russian UAVs during a massive attack against Ukraine and, for the first time, shot them down. The army warned citizens about the increased threat to the Masovian, Podlaskie, and Lublin voivodeships.

Later, Polish authorities confirmed the shooting down of several drones and explained that such an unprecedented decision was made due to an act of aggression and a threat to the safety of citizens. They said that these objects flew into Poland during a massive Russian attack on targets in Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk informed NATO about the unprecedented violation of the country’s airspace by Russian drones.

The attack prompted the closure of four airports, including Warsaw and Rzeszow. It was later reported that about 20 Russian drones had flown into Poland while Russian forces were carrying out massive drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, particularly in the western regions near the Polish border.