At least three Russian drones were shot down by Polish and NATO aircraft in Poland's airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine, the Polish prime minister has said.

Donald Tusk stated that Poland recorded 19 drone incursions, with some flying deep enough to temporarily close four airports, including Warsaw's main hub, Chopin.

This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two, he said. This is the first time Russian drones have been downed over NATO territory since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia's defense ministry denied plans to target facilities on Polish soil, claiming the maximum range of the drones does not exceed 700 km and expressing willingness to hold consultations.

The incident was described as an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the broader implications of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine.

Immediate military responses included the deployment of F-35 and F-16 jets, as well as helicopters, demonstrating NATO's readiness to confront emerging threats.

Tusk also sought to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which calls for urgent consultations within the alliance, indicating the seriousness of the threat posed by the drones.

As tensions escalate, both Polish and NATO forces remain on high alert, reassessing security protocols amidst increasing concerns for regional stability in the face of Russia's ongoing military actions.