"We passed all of these tests," Nawrocki told troops during a visit to the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny in western Poland, a key hub in the country’s air defence effort.
The president travelled to the base a day after Polish and allied aircraft intercepted multiple drones that crossed into Poland during a large-scale Russian strike on Ukraine.
Military officials said Polish and allied radar tracked multiple objects and shot down those deemed a direct threat.
By Thursday, authorities had recovered debris from 16 drones.
“This was a provocation meant to test not only our military capacity, but also the ability of Poland’s political leadership—the president and the prime minister—to react, as well as the functioning of NATO’s response mechanisms,” Nawrocki said.
He praised Polish and allied pilots for their role in the operation, which involved AWACS early warning aircraft, F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, Mi-24 attack helicopters and other assets, according to officials.
“I feel deep pride that I am commander-in-chief of the Polish armed forces and can say here in Krzesiny that Polish aviation is ready to respond to provocations," he said.
'Poland will not be frightened'
Nawrocki also framed the incursion as part of a broader hybrid war waged by Moscow.
"Poland will not be intimidated by Russian drones," he declared. "We are a nation that did not yield to the Soviet soldier in 1920, nor to nearly 50 years of communist propaganda after 1945. Poland, with almost 5 percent of GDP going to defence and the strength of our alliance, will not be frightened now."
He told the gathering that deterrence depends on constant readiness.
“If we want a future without war, we must be prepared for war every day,” Nawrocki said, adding that political leaders must carry out their responsibilities "as effectively as the armed forces."
Polish authorities say the overnight operation marked the first time Russian drones were shot down over NATO territory since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
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Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl