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Ukraine Urges NATO Allies to Intercept and Shoot Down Russian Drones Over Ukraine
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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on NATO allies to move beyond political statements and take concrete action after Russian drones entered Polish territory, as quoted by RBC-Ukraine on September 10. He urged a swift decision allowing allied forces to intercept and shoot down Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine.
“The time for condemnations is over. It is now time to act in response to Russia’s strike on Poland,” Sybiha said. “A quick decision, and we are hoping for it, about shooting down Russian aerial objects over Ukraine. We have discussed this with our neighbors — Romania, Poland and others — who have also faced drone debris or airspace violations. Our position is that the time has come to finally make this decision, which will also help protect our common European security space.”
Sybiha emphasized that Russia’s actions represent a deliberate escalation. He warned that a weak response would only embolden Moscow and increase the risk of strikes deeper inside Europe.
The appeal comes after at least 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland during overnight strikes on Ukraine on September 9–10, prompting NATO jets, including Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s, to shoot down several targets. This marked the first known direct aerial engagement by NATO forces since the start of the full-scale war. Poland subsequently invoked Article 4 of the NATO charter, triggering emergency consultations among alliance members.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Poland Ukrainian data on the incursion and pledged to assist in strengthening its warning and air defense systems. “This is not just about Ukraine—it is about building an effective air shield over Europe,” he said in comments reported by Reuters.
Earlier, it was reported that Europe’s air-defense systems may be unprepared for mass drone attacks such as swarms of Russian Shahed drones, highlighting growing vulnerability across the continent and urging coordinated, layered defense architecture informed by lessons from Ukraine’s shield.
