Three states urgently require strengthening of air defense systems

The foreign ministers of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine have expressed their strong protest over the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory. They noted that this is a deliberate and coordinated attack, which has become a serious provocation and a threat to the region’s security.

This information was released in a joint statement by the diplomats.

“We, the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine – the Lublin Triangle, absolutely condemn the recent incursion of Russian UAVs into Polish territory. This is a deliberate and coordinated act, which is an unprecedented provocation and increases tensions,” the statement said.

The diplomats also stressed that Russia’s actions and Belarus’s consent to use its airspace pose a direct threat to all countries in the region. They called for joint measures to ensure the safety of citizens and noted Ukraine’s readiness to exchange intelligence to create an early warning system and counter drone and missile attacks.

The document also emphasizes the need to improve coordination between institutions responsible for air security, and emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The countries called on partners to support Lithuania and Poland in enhancing security on the eastern flank of NATO and the EU.

The diplomats separately noted the growth of Russian disinformation and called on societies to be vigilant and resist manipulation. Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine emphasized that unity and cooperation within NATO and the EU are crucial for countering Russian aggression.

As a reminder, on September 10, about twenty Russian strike drones crossed Polish airspace from the side of Ukraine and Belarus. Air defense and aviation forces were able to shoot down only four drones. One of them damaged a residential building in the Lublin Voivodeship, and another fell on the territory of a military base without detonation. In total, the wreckage of 16 downed aircraft was found in the eastern border areas with Ukraine.

After the incident, Poland asked NATO for additional air defense systems and means of protection against drones.