Russian drones, which breached Polish airspace in the early hours of September 10, might have been targeting the airport in Rzeszów, which is vital for the West’s military supplies to Ukraine, German media claimed on September 11.

German daily Die Welt reported that five drones were headed directly for the Rzeszów military base used to channel military aid to Ukraine before being intercepted by Dutch Lockheed Martin F-35 jets. A report by Der Spiegel also claimed that.

The airport in the south-eastern Polish city of Rzeszów has become a critical entry point for allied arms shipments and humanitarian aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The hub handles a steady stream of cargo aircraft carrying ammunition, missiles and armoured vehicles bound for Ukraine. Western officials have described Rzeszów as the “lifeline” for Kyiv’s forces.
 
According to new reports, citing unofficial information from a NATO analysis of the incident, as many as 22-25 drones entered Polish airspace, making coincidence highly unlikely. Two additional drones also reportedly entered Lithuanian airspace later that morning.

NATO officials suspect Moscow was probing the alliance’s response in what is sometimes called “grilling” the alliance’s eastern flank with actions short of conventional war.

An Italian reconnaissance aircraft, a NATO tanker and a German Patriot system also took part in the operation, which eventually downed drones deemed a direct threat. 

Russia denied targeting Poland and claimed readiness to hold consultations with Poland’s defence ministry about the incursions.