UK Chargé d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford condemns Russia's violations of Poland's sovereign airspace and underlines the UK's full support for Poland.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As the United Kingdom, we underline our full support for Poland following the completely unacceptable violations of Polish sovereign airspace by Russian military drone assets on the night of 9 - 10 September 2025.
The multiple drones that penetrated Polish airspace led to the temporary closure of key civilian airports and the mobilisation of air defence systems. The professional and effective response of the Polish Armed Forces and NATO assets neutralised the threat posed by these incursions, which occurred during a broader Russian coordinated aerial assault on Ukraine.
Any violation of NATO airspace is not only a breach of international law but also a dangerous provocation, and a serious escalation that risks wider conflict. The United Kingdom stands ready to support Poland and our NATO allies in defending our shared values and collective security.
This incursion also serves to remind us of the Russian Federation's contempt for international norms and sovereignty, as seen in Moscow's continued disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment faced by innocent Ukrainians every day.
The OSCE remains an essential platform for managing security risks and enabling dialogue between states. It is in this spirit that we underline our full support for our NATO Allies, and our commitment to collective security, as well as to upholding the principles of the OSCE.
We stand firmly with Poland after this violation of NATO airspace. And we continue to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal invasion.
Thank you.
