Poland, Ukraine to train downing drones on Polish territory, Warsaw says
Editor's note: This story was updated to include a statement from the Polish Defense Ministry. An earlier version incorrectly said that Poland would send military representatives to Ukraine for training on shooting down Russian drones.
The Polish Defense Ministry clarified on Sept. 12 that Ukrainian and Polish specialists will practice the use of drones and anti-drone systems only on Polish territory.
The statement came a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky seemingly insinuated on Sept. 11 that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had already agreed to send military representatives to Ukraine for the task.
The Polish Defense Ministry later confirmed that Ukrainian and Polish specialists will train on drones and anti-drone systems, but clarified that this collaboration will take place on Polish territory.
According to the Polish ministry, talks are currently underway between experts from the two countries on deeper cooperation regarding drone and anti-drone systems.
"All these activities are to take place on Polish territory," the statement read.
The news comes days after Poland's Air Force was forced to shoot down at least three Russian drones for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nineteen Russian drones were recorded crossing into Poland on Sept. 10, in what European officials describe as a Russian attempt at testing NATO's resolve.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sept. 11 that the Polish military will send representatives for the training session.
Speaking alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky announced Poland's intention to consult with Ukraine on downing drones.
"We are open and ready (for consultations and training)," Zelensky said, adding that both countries' militaries are working on "technical steps" for the training.
"We offered our help because Patriots (missile systems) will not help Poland in their fight against Shaheds," Zelensky said, adding there is a "one-month" supply of the air defense missiles.
Zelensky stressed that Poland would need to take a "multi-system" approach to countering the drones, noting the cost-effectiveness in downing a drone worth upwards of $100,000 with a multi-million dollar missile.
"I believe no one has these systems today. Only we have it, and the Russians."
No timeline was provided as to when the training and consultations may begin.
The new initiative comes as German media outlets Spiegel and Welt reported on Sept. 11 that the Russian drones shot down were reportedly headed for Rzeszow Airport, a key logistics hub for aid to Ukraine.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused Russia on Sept. 10 of deliberately violating Polish airspace after multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland and were shot down. In response, Poland activated NATO's Article 4 and requested a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Dmytro Basmat
