Warsaw: NATO and Polish forces shot down Russian drones that crossed into Poland’s airspace on Wednesday, prompting authorities to place security services on the highest alert, according to officials.

Poland’s Deputy Defence Minister said all agencies were on high alert, with an operation underway to neutralise “intruders” that violated Polish airspace. He added that the military was in constant contact with President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, OSINTdefender reported.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces confirmed the violations in a statement posted on X.

“Attention, during today's attack by the Russian Federation targeting objects located on Ukrainian territory, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drone-type objects. An operation is underway aimed at identifying and neutralising the objects. On the orders of the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, weaponry has been deployed, and services are actively working to locate the downed objects.

We emphasise that the military operation is ongoing, and we urge people to stay at home. The most affected areas are the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie voivodeships. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, and the forces and resources under its command remain fully prepared for immediate response,” the statement read.

Later, the armed forces released an update, saying “...Polish and allied assets radar-tracked several objects, and the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces made decisions to neutralise those that could pose a threat. Some of the drones that entered our airspace were shot down. Efforts are underway to search for and locate the possible crash sites of these objects...”

Poland's defence minister said that aircraft mobilised in response to repeated violations of the country's airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine.

"Aircraft have used weapons against hostile objects," Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on social media, adding: "We are in constant contact with NATO command."