Poland Moves to Amend Law for Independent Drone Interception Over Ukraine and Belarus

Poland Seeks Greater Autonomy in Air Defense

Poland is advancing legislative changes that would grant its armed forces the authority to intercept Russian drones and other aerial objects over Ukrainian or Belarusian territory without requiring prior approval from NATO or the European Union. This proposed amendment to the military deployment law aims to provide greater flexibility and a more rapid response to potential aerial threats originating from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The draft legislation, initially prepared by the Ministry of National Defence in June, is expected to be fast-tracked through parliamentary procedures.

Rationale Behind the Legislative Shift

The impetus for this amendment stems from restrictions introduced in February 2022, which mandated approval from NATO, the EU, and the host country for Polish forces to engage in cross-border defensive actions. Policymakers argue that these constraints have limited Poland's ability to take timely preventive measures against aerial threats approaching from Ukrainian airspace. A commission investigating Russian influence later criticized the 2022 change, stating it 'deprived Warsaw of the right to act independently against drones crossing the border from Ukraine or Belarus'. The current ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, aims to remove these restrictions under a 'shoot first, ask later' principle, providing the military with enhanced flexibility in responding to threats.

Recent Incidents Prompt Urgent Action

The urgency for this legislative change was significantly heightened by a series of incidents, most notably on September 10, 2025. During a large-scale Russian drone attack on Ukraine, between 19 and 23 Russian drones violated Polish airspace. Polish forces successfully shot down several of these unmanned aircraft, marking the first time a NATO member had directly engaged Russian assets during the conflict. Investigations indicated that some drones were decoys and unarmed, but the scale of the breach was widely interpreted as a deliberate test of NATO's alertness. Following this incursion, Poland invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, citing a threat to national and allied security. Prime Minister Tusk has since stated that Poland 'will destroy any object violating its skies if necessary'.

Broader Context and International Cooperation

The proposed amendment is part of a broader effort to bolster regional air defense. Similar airspace violations have occurred in other NATO countries, including Romania and Latvia, underscoring a pattern of Russian provocations. NATO has responded by launching 'Operation Eastern Sentry' to reinforce its eastern flank. While NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed that allies 'have the right' to target drones, he also emphasized the importance of proportional responses. In a related development, Poland and Ukraine are establishing a Joint Task Force on Unmanned Aerial Systems to exchange operational knowledge and experience, reflecting a collaborative approach to counter drone warfare.