Poland will deploy 40,000 troops along its borders with Belarus and Russia in response to the upcoming Zapad-2025 joint military drills, scheduled for September 12-16, according to deputy defense minister Cezary Tomczyk. This announcement on September 11th, 2025, comes as Poland also confirmed allocating its forces to protect civilians from potential drone threats, a different priority than Ukraine's wartime objectives. Prime Minister Donald Tusk also stated Poland would close its border with Belarus overnight from September 11-12 due to the drills. Allied nations have provided "concrete declarations" of support following recent Russian drone violations of Polish airspace, with the Netherlands accelerating the delivery of two Patriot batteries, sending short-range air defense systems, anti-drone systems, and 300 troops. Czechia will deploy three Mi-17 helicopters with crews and approximately 100 soldiers within three days. France and the United Kingdom will send Rafale and Eurofighter jets, respectively, while Sweden is prepared to contribute additional aircraft and air defense assets to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, as stated by Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Tomczyk clarified Poland's approach to drone incidents, emphasizing civilian protection in peacetime, contrasting it with Ukraine's wartime focus on preventing targets from being hit. The previous report detailed that France had deployed three Rafale fighter jets to Poland, a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron yesterday and communicated to NATO Secretary General and the British Prime Minister. This French deployment was in response to increased Russian drone activity and incursions into Polish airspace, which led NATO to double its fighter presence over Poland. Earlier on September 11th, 2025, at least five Russian drones, suspected of targeting a NATO military base in Rzeszów, entered Polish airspace. Two were intercepted by Dutch F-35A Lightning IIs, and three crashed. The Polish Armed Forces noted that a drone was shot down over NATO territory for the first time in the Alliance's history. Ukraine also announced it would train Polish forces on counter-drone warfare within Ukraine. Latvia has closed its airspace along its borders with Russia and Belarus as a precautionary measure until at least September 18th.
