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Poland scrambling fighter jets
On Sep. 28, 2025, after a Russian attack on Ukraine that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said lasted for more than 12 hours Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily closed some Polish airspace.
Poland’s military said on X that not only Polish radar reconnaissance systems were put on the highest level of alert but also that NATO F-35 jets patrolled the skies until the attack ended. The military added that there were no airspace violations.
Airspace near Poland’s southeastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszow was temporarily closed, Politico reported.
As multiple NATO countries report drone sightings and other incursions, the scrambling of jets and airspace closures are becoming more frequent. In response to Russian incursions into NATO airspace, the defense alliance said on Sep. 12 that NATO will send more warplanes and air defense systems to the eastern flank.
What if a Russian aircraft is shot down into NATO airspace?
Earlier this month three Russian drones were shot down in Poland’s airspace. On Friday and Saturday Denmark reported fresh drone sightings above defense sites, after a wave of drone activity earlier in the week temporarily shut down major Danish airports.
If NATO shoots down a Russian aircraft into the defense alliance airspace would that be, as Russia says, “warmongering”?
Eric Wicklund, former US Navy Operations Specialist, answers the question on Quora;
‘No, it isn’t “warmongering,” but the Russian trollskis will say it is, and Medvedev will post tweets (between vodka shots) threatening nuclear war.
‘Russians expect to appeal to the West’s humanity, and then take advantage (read: “abuse”) anyone with a heart. They are like stray cats; once you give them what they want, you can never get rid of them. If they know they can manipulate you, they will never quit.
Weapons Free
‘Nations like Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia must publish that any Russian aircraft entering their airspace will be shot down without warning. And when Russia fighters or bombers, inevitably, decide to test this, shoot them down without hesitation.
‘If a Russian drone even approaches Poland, but is still in Ukraine…shoot it down. You can never be sure if Russia is having another “accident.”’
Wicklund concludes;
‘The truth is: Russians will demand that you show them all consideration, and they won’t respect you if you do. They’ll only respect strong, heartless action. Until Russia realizes the West has had enough and won’t take it anymore, Russia will continue to disrespect us. Peace will not come until Russia understands this.’
Photo credit: RAF/MOD / Crown Copyright and Polish Air Force
