Poland is leveraging Ukraine’s expertise in drone warfare, with both countries announcing the establishment of joint military training programs and manufacturing initiatives. The move follows a recent incident when Russian drones entered Polish airspace, highlighting NATO's vulnerability to evolving uncrewed aerial technologies.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, drones—used for both defense and attack—have become pivotal in modern combat, reshaping the nature of warfare. Both Poland and Ukraine are eager to master this rapidly developing technology.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Polish counterpart, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, signed a memorandum to form a joint working group focused on uncrewed systems. They will collaborate on testing new drone interception methods, sharing military knowledge related to drone warfare, and enhancing compatibility between their armed forces, Shmyhal shared on Telegram.
The recent Russian drone breach into Polish airspace, which prompted NATO to deploy fighter jets to intercept the drones, has escalated tensions in Eastern Europe, particularly regarding Russia’s territorial ambitions. Despite U.S. efforts to mediate, including a summit in Alaska, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine persists. NATO has pledged to bolster its defensive measures on the eastern flank, bordering Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. In response, Russia demonstrated its military power in large-scale exercises with Belarus, raising concerns in the West about Moscow’s intentions.
In addition to the drone collaboration, Ukrainian and Polish defense ministers signed an agreement to strengthen their security cooperation. Shmyhal emphasized that this partnership is a response to Russia's aggression, which threatens Ukraine and other European nations.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's air defenses successfully neutralized or disrupted 48 of the 75 Russian drones launched overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The drones targeted rail infrastructure, a common target in recent attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that these strikes aim to disrupt Russia’s supply lines and create social instability.
Ukraine has been developing long-range drones and missiles to take the fight directly to Russia rather than solely focusing on defense. In a notable attack, two Ukrainian drones struck the Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery in Bashkortostan, Russia, causing a fire. Although there were no casualties, the attack highlighted Ukraine's ability to reach targets deep within Russian territory. Ukrainian officials confirmed their involvement in the operation.
Targeting Russia’s oil refineries has become a key strategy for Ukraine, as Russia relies heavily on oil revenue to fund its war efforts. These strikes, along with seasonal demand increases, have contributed to fuel shortages in Russia.