France Deploys Rafale Jets to Poland After Russian Drone Incursions
Paris/Warsaw: France has deployed three Rafale fighter jets to Poland in response to recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday.
Macron’s Statement
“The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia’s increasing intimidation,” Macron wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
A French military official confirmed that the jets had already been stationed in Poland prior to Tuesday’s incident.
Poland’s Response
On Tuesday, Poland reported scrambling aircraft alongside NATO allies to intercept “hostile objects” violating its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine. This marked the first such incident involving a NATO member since the war began in 2022.
The Russian assault included heavy strikes on western Ukraine, particularly in Lviv, just 80 kilometers from the Polish border.
Russia Denies Targeting Poland
Moscow’s foreign ministry acknowledged drone strikes on military sites in western Ukraine but insisted it had “no plans to strike Polish territory.”
NATO and International Reactions
Following the incursion, Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows any member state to call urgent consultations when its security or territorial integrity is under threat.
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The Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Sweden summoned Russian ambassadors to protest.
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Germany pledged to expand its role in NATO’s mission to defend Polish airspace.
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The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.
A Pattern of Violations
This week’s incident is not the first time Poland has reported Russian projectiles crossing its borders:
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August 2025: A Russian drone exploded in farmland in eastern Poland, labeled a “provocation.”
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2023: A Russian missile crossed into Polish territory during a strike on Ukraine.
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November 2022: Two civilians were killed when a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile landed in a Polish village near the border.
The Bigger Picture
The repeated violations highlight the growing risks for NATO countries as Russia intensifies strikes near alliance borders. With France and Germany stepping up air defense support, European security cooperation is expected to deepen further in the coming weeks.
