Eastern Poland, September 9, 2025.

21:38 EDT: The operational command of the Polish armed forces posted that “Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness.” [BBC, September 9, 2025.]

21:57 EDT: The Polish army has stated that a military operation is “ongoing,” and urged everyone to stay at home. [Id.]

22:03 EDT: The Polish Armed Forces confirmed that the country’s airspace was “repeatedly violated by drone-type objects” during Russian strikes in Ukraine, and that an operation is underway to “identify and neutralise the targets.” [Id.]

22:15 EDT: Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister, Cezary Tomczyk, said: “Over Poland, an operation to neutralise objects that have violated and exceeded the border of the Republic of Poland is underway. All services are in action. We ask you to follow the announcements of the Polish army and the police.” [Id.]

22:26 EDT: The Polish Armed Forces said on X: “Weapons have been used, and operations are underway to locate the downed objects.” [Id.]

22:30 EDT: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that an operation is underway “related to multiple violations of Polish airspace,” and that he has been in “constant contact” with the Ministry of Defense and has received a direct report from the operational commander. Id.]

With Russia’s missile and drone attacks on Ukraine intensifying and reaching to the far western regions of the country, the bordering nations of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova have long been alert to the possibility of an invasion — even if accidental — of their airspace. And now, for the first time, it has happened: Poland — a NATO member — has been forced to deploy aircraft to intercept and shoot down what appear to be Russian drones.

22:51 EDT: Three regions in the eastern part of Poland close to the borders of Ukraine and Russia-friendly Belarus have been identified as the most vulnerable at this time, one of which — the Mazowieckie region — includes the nation’s capital of Warsaw. The Armed Forces have stated that they are monitoring the situation and “remain fully prepared for immediate response.” [Id.]

How do you suppose Putin will characterize this? A figment of everyone’s imagination? An overreaction on the part of the Polish military? Or perhaps even a provocation created by Poland itself, as an excuse to attack Russia?

Maybe he’ll say Poland just shouldn’t have been in the way when those drones overshot their intended targets in Ukraine!

*. *. *

Separately, an earlier report (22:29 EDT) stated that drones had been detected heading west toward the city of Zamosc, Poland, and that Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, along with at least two other airports in the country, had been shut down “due to unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security.” [Brad Lendon, Isaac Yee and Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN, September 9, 2025.]

It was also announced that Poland was closing its eastern border with Belarus due to large-scale joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises beginning on Friday. Known as the Zapad 25 exercises, they have caused serious concern in neighboring NATO countries Lithuania and Latvia as well. As stated by Prime Minister Tusk at a government meeting:

“On Friday, Russian-Belarusian maneuvers, very aggressive from a military doctrine perspective, begin in Belarus, very close to the Polish border. Therefore, for national security reasons, we will close the border with Belarus, including railway crossings, in connection with the Zapad maneuvers on Thursday at midnight.” [Id.]

*. *. *

It is impossible tonight not to think back to those last days of February 2022, when Russian troops amassed near the border of Ukraine in what Vladimir Putin called, and still calls, a “special military operation” . . . a supposedly routine exercise that has lasted more than three and a half years.

Whatever is going on — whether yesterday’s two situations are connected or coincidental — this does not bode well. I assume the lights will be on in the Washington White House all night tonight.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/10/25