In September 2025, a Russian drone violated Polish airspace as part of a sophisticated hybrid warfare operation. This incursion involved unmanned aircraft accompanied by possible cyber interference with Poland’s radar systems, coordinated disinformation spread across social media, and diplomatic ambiguity aimed at undermining Polish sovereignty and destabilizing perceptions. The event exemplifies Russia’s layered strategy blending conventional border violations with cyber and information warfare to unsettle NATO eastern flank countries without triggering open conflict. Polish responses include enhanced airspace monitoring and public attribution of hybrid threats. This incident is embedded within a broader pattern of Russian hybrid tactics involving cyberattacks, drone incursions, sabotage, and information manipulation aimed at weakening Western alliances and eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
Category: Military & Paramilitary Operations
Subcategory: Conventional Military Pressure
Incident Type: Airspace violations
Country: Poland
Source report: cepa.org/comprehen…
