Edward Marchesi On September 17, 2026, the Polish government announced an immediate response to a Russian military strike in western Ukraine, just a few kilometers from the Polish border. The incident prompted the temporary closure of Rzeszow and Lublin airports and the activation of air raid alerts in two eastern regions of Poland. Some schools had to resort to emergency shelters, while authorities reported a possible attack on a gas station near Dorohusk.
Moscow's alert and Polish air response
In response to the incursion, Poland immediately deployed military aircraft to patrol the airspace along the border. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed an increase in F-16 and helicopter missions to ensure air defense capabilities are adequate for any potential threats.
The speed of reaction was defined as crucial to avoid escalation, added the minister in a statement published on X.
Intelligence on Russian drone and missile plans
Speaking to Parliament, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that intelligence agencies had assessed that Russia was planning a series of hybrid attacks —a combination of drones and missiles —targeting countries that provide support to Ukraine.
Tusk specified that these operations would be aimed at "paralyzing or at least weakening the resolve of NATO member states to intervene." The speech included an implicit criticism of European political movements perceived as more friendly to Moscow, citing the AfD in Germany and the Rassemblement National in France.
Polish authorities did not disclose which specific intelligence agencies issued the alert, but emphasized that the threat is considered "accidental" only in appearance, with the real goal of sowing confusion and fear. According to Tusk, such actions could coincide with political changes in some European countries, which would give voice to forces preaching peace but, in his view, aiming for Ukraine's "total capitulation."
Cooperation with Ukraine and the Anti-Missile Coalition
The first major event for Warsaw is Tusk's scheduled visit to Kyiv, scheduled for the following Friday, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting will discuss Poland's participation in the Integrated Anti-Missile Coalition, a group of European nations developing a more cost-effective air defense system than the traditional US Patriot . This initiative aims to provide Kyiv with effective protection against Russian ballistic missiles while reducing its dependence on American weapons.
Meanwhile, Polish defense forces continue to constantly monitor the border area, ready to intervene should new hostile activity be detected. The intensification of operations with F-16s and helicopters has been described as part of a broader rapid response plan aimed at ensuring the security of the national territory and supporting NATO allies in the event of an escalation.