Poland explains late drone warnings amid Russian drone incursion

According to a spokesperson for the government's RCB security center, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) received military information about the intrusion at 3:59 a.m., even though the first violations started around 11:30 p.m. the previous evening.

Services recorded at least 20 drone flights over Polish territory overnight. Prime Minister Donald Tusk specified that the operation lasted all night and ended around 6:30 a.m.

Residents in the Lublin, Podkarpackie and Podlaskie voivodeships received SMS alerts from RCB only after 8 a.m., once the main threat had passed.

The messages read: "Attention! Due to the neutralization operation of objects that violated Poland's borders, report drones or crash sites to services. Stay calm." Similar posts appeared on social media around 7 a.m.

RCB spokesperson Piotr Błaszczyk explained that the decision to postpone alerts until morning was deliberate, aimed at "supporting military actions" and "coordinating searches for downed drones."

At an Interior Ministry press conference, spokesperson Karolina Gałecka added that an early warning could have sparked unnecessary panic.

"Government Security Center alerts are issued and decisions to send them are made when there is a threat to life and health," she said. "Imagine sending messages to residents at 2-3 a.m. Have you considered the reaction of half the population where there was no need to flee, evacuate or leave home?"

Russian drone attack on Poland

During Russia's massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, several drones repeatedly violated Polish airspace, which Warsaw described as an "unprecedented act of aggression."

Polish military forces used weapons against some unmanned aerial vehicles and confirmed downing several. Searches for crash sites continue, involving territorial defense units.

Due to aviation risks, Poland temporarily closed four airports, including Warsaw Chopin, Warsaw-Modlin, Rzeszów-Jasionka and Lublin. The situation remains under monitoring.

In response to the drone threat, Poland heightened security measures and introduced emergency readiness for territorial defense in border regions. Soldiers in Podlaskie, Masovian, Lublin and Podkarpackie voivodeships may receive call-ups with as little as six hours' notice, and 12 hours in other areas.

Prime Minister Tusk convened an emergency government meeting at 9 a.m. and was consulting with key defense and security ministers. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was informed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attack involved at least eight Russian-Iranian strike drones that crossed into Polish and NATO airspace, urging partners for a decisive, coordinated response to deter the aggressor and demonstrate consequences.

Tusk reported 19 violations in Polish airspace overnight into Sept. 10, with a significant portion entering from Belarus for the first time. Preliminary data indicate four drones were destroyed, the last at 6:45 a.m. local time.

Warsaw has requested NATO invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty for consultations on threats to territorial integrity, political independence or security.