This opinion was voiced on Espreso TV by Bartosz Cichocki, Poland’s Ambassador to Ukraine in 2019–2023.“It is still too early to say whether this was an act of aggression or how the UAVs entered Polish airspace — whether they were programmed to strike targets in Poland. The consequences of such a conclusion would be different than if these UAVs were aimed at targets in Ukraine but briefly entered our airspace. Another possible conclusion — which would be very bad, as it would have political consequences — is if it turns out that these UAVs entered Polish airspace due to electronic warfare systems from Ukraine or Belarus. For now, Donald Tusk mentioned 19 UAVs, some sources say 23, and that is a lot. We saw a quick response not only from the Polish air force, but also from allies,” Cichocki commented.According to him, Dutch F-35s were in the air, and several drones were neutralized by Poland’s NATO-integrated air defense system. “It is very good that the allied NATO mechanism worked, not just the Polish one. There were no casualties or injuries, but next time we may not be so lucky, and there could be victims,” he said.“So far, we see a consolidated position from Poland’s political establishment. Ukrainian readers know well that Poland is facing a highly conflictual situation between the president, the liberal government, and the conservative opposition. But this incident encourages consolidation and cooperation, and that is a good thing. Let’s see what conclusions and emotions prevail now in Polish society, internationally, and within NATO. I hope that in Poland people now recall the difficult conditions and circumstances of Polish-Ukrainian relations, and that society returns to the spirit of 2022, supporting the government’s decisions to provide Ukraine with aid,” the diplomat stressed.In his view, the cheapest and most effective way to strengthen Poland’s security is to provide Ukraine with enough equipment so that no Russian drones can reach Polish territory. He also called for increasing sanctions pressure on Russia.“Polish airports were shut down, civil flights suspended, and this procedure worked effectively. But I am sure this is the first such incident, not the last. In two to four days, we may find ourselves in a situation where not 23, but 50 UAVs enter our airspace. We in Poland must understand that this may be repeated, that there may be casualties and material losses. We must not panic or overreact, but civilians need to understand how to act. We must learn and use Ukraine’s experience — not only theoretically. We should hold lectures on Ukraine’s experience, deepen our cooperation. Polish officers should work not only at the embassy, but also in Ukraine’s General Staff and operational headquarters, as officers from other countries already do, to minimize future risks,” Cichocki concluded.Russian drones in Polish airspace. BackgroundPolish Armed Forces’ Operational Command put air defense systems and aviation on highest alert due to Russia’s night attack on Ukraine: Russian drones violated the country’s airspace.As a result of a Russian attack on the night of September 10, drone debris fell on a residential building in a village in Poland’s Lublin Voivodeship. No one was injured.Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready to help Poland develop an alert and air defense system. Meanwhile, European Commission President von der Leyen announces the EU will build a “drone wall” on the Russia border.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the violation of Poland’s airspace by Russian drones, stating that Kyiv had warned Warsaw about the UAV movements.On Wednesday, September 10, NATO activated Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty after Russian drones violated Polish territory.According to officials, defense experts, and analysts, this revealed how unprepared Europe is for such a massive air attack, which Russia launches against Ukraine almost every night, exposing the scale of investment needed to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.