Picture: Radio ESKA/ east2west news
Almost a year has passed since Russian military drones violated Polish airspace on September 10, 2025. Today, the threat has escalated to cruise missiles.
According to preliminary reports, during Russia’s large-scale attack on Ukraine on July 30, a Kh-101 cruise missile entered Polish airspace and crashed on Polish territory, leaving a 10-metre-wide crater. If confirmed, it is another reminder that security challenges are closer than many realize.
Strengthening Poland’s air defence is important not only for Poland but also for Europe and NATO.
Poland should expand its air defence, train more drone operators, and make greater use of the experience of countries, such as Ukraine, that have already faced these threats in combat. This experience should be systematically integrated into allied training, doctrine, and technology development.
To support this effort, Dronarium Birds recently obtained a NATO NCAGE code, became an official STS training centre, and continues expanding practical UAV training in cooperation with training schools and defense manufacturers.
Russian missiles and drones do not recognise national borders. Industry, research institutions, and government authorities should accelerate the integration of lessons learned from Ukraine into training, technology, and air defence planning.
Europe has the knowledge, the technology, and the partners to strengthen its air defence. The priority now is to accelerate the integration of proven experience into practical capabilities before the next incident occurs.