Airspace Alerts: Zelensky’s Claims of Drone Incursions Put Neighbors on Notice

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has put his country’s neighbors on high alert, making serious allegations of drone incursions that challenge regional stability and NATO’s security. His claims involve a major Russian drone flight into Poland and a separate, disputed incident with a Hungarian UAV.
In a striking statement, Zelensky asserted that on September 10, 19 Russian drones flew into eastern Poland. He claimed they were part of a 92-drone swarm, the majority of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces before they could cross the border. This alleged violation of a NATO country’s airspace represents a significant and dangerous escalation.
Separately, Zelensky pointed to a diplomatic spat with another neighbor, Hungary. He reported that a Hungarian drone was detected over Ukraine this week. While the Hungarian military has issued a denial, Kyiv is pressing the issue, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha demanding an explanation and publicizing a map of the drone’s alleged flight path.
These repeated airspace incidents form the tense backdrop for Ukraine’s intensified diplomatic efforts to secure more powerful weapons. Zelensky confirmed he is pursuing a new deal with the US for long-range arms following an agreement with President Donald Trump. A Ukrainian team will soon be in Washington to finalize the purchase.
To counter the very threats he described, Zelensky highlighted recent upgrades to Ukraine’s defenses. The country received a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel a month ago and expects two more this fall. These systems are crucial for protecting Ukraine from the complex, multi-directional aerial threats that now appear to be extending to its NATO neighbors.