Update 18:34 EST: Romanian authorities issued a second RO-Alert in Tulcea County after confirming that another drone had entered Romanian airspace. The alert, sent to residents in the northern area of the county, again warned of the possibility of falling objects from the air and instructed people to seek shelter. This marked the second confirmed incursion of the day, underscoring the ongoing and intensifying threat along Romania’s border with Ukraine.
Authorities have since confirmed that the drone returned to Ukrainian airspace. The situation remains tense, but the immediate threat to Romanian territory has eased for now.
Update 17:49 EST: Poland has confirmed that the joint operation of Polish and allied aviation in its airspace has concluded. Ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activities, though the Polish Armed Forces stress that they remain in constant readiness to ensure the safety of national airspace.
Update 17:37 EST: The Romanian Air Force has announced that it intercepted a drone that entered Romanian airspace. This marks the first confirmed breach into Romanian territory during the current escalation and underscores the seriousness of the threat.
At the same time, reports state that both Polish and Dutch fighter jets are actively engaging Russian suicide drones over eastern Poland. These engagements highlight the rapid expansion of aerial operations across NATO’s eastern flank and the growing risk posed by Russia’s drone campaign spilling directly into Alliance territory.
Update 17:26 EST: Reports now indicate that both Polish and Romanian fighter jets have been scrambled in response to the ongoing threat from Russian drones near their borders. While these reports remain unconfirmed by official channels, they add to the alerts already issued in both countries and highlight the growing seriousness of the situation. The deployment of jets by two NATO member states underscores the heightened state of readiness across the region.
Update 17:14 EST: Poland’s Government Security Centre has issued an RCB alert warning of a potential air attack in the Lubelskie region. The alert urged residents in the districts of Chełm, Chełmski, Krasnostawski, Łęczyński, Świdnicki, and Włodawski to exercise extreme caution, follow the instructions of authorities, and await further announcements.
This latest alert comes directly after the closure of Lublin Airport and the earlier RO-ALERT in Romania’s Tulcea region, underscoring the rapidly escalating security climate along NATO’s eastern flank. Unlike routine drill notices, today’s warning explicitly referenced the threat of an air attack, signaling that Polish authorities are treating the situation with the utmost seriousness.
Update 16:53 EST: Romania has issued a RO-ALERT in Tulcea county warning of the possibility of falling objects from surrounding airspace. Residents were instructed to take shelter in basements or civil protection shelters, or if none were available, to stay indoors and away from windows and exterior walls. The alert lasted just under 20 minutes and underscored the seriousness of the situation.
There are reports that Russian drones may have entered Romanian airspace and that fighter jets were scrambled in response. While these claims have not yet been confirmed, the official alert itself signals that Romanian authorities considered the risk immediate. This potential escalation will be closely monitored as more information becomes available.
Original reporting 16:25 EST: Polish authorities have temporarily closed Lublin Airport following heightened military activity in eastern Poland. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced that Polish and allied aircraft were conducting operations in national airspace due to the threat of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles near the border with Ukraine.
The military stated that air defense and radar systems have been raised to the highest readiness level, describing the measures as preventive in nature and aimed at protecting civilians and securing the airspace adjacent to Ukraine.
The closure comes only days after one of the most serious airspace violations in recent years. On the night of September 9–10, between 19 and 23 Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace. Some were intercepted and NATO jets were scrambled in response. That incident prompted Warsaw to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, calling for allied consultations.
The latest measures underline fears that Russia’s drone campaign against Ukraine could spill over further into Poland. Several airports including Warsaw Chopin, Modlin, and Rzeszów had already faced temporary disruptions during last week’s incursion.
Poland’s government insists these actions are necessary to safeguard national security and to ensure civilian aviation safety. While Russia has denied deliberate incursions, Polish officials have dismissed claims of accident, warning that continued provocations test NATO’s resolve.
For now, flights to and from Lublin remain suspended with no timeline for reopening announced. The Operational Command has stressed that forces remain fully prepared for immediate response to any further escalation.
Separately, Poland’s Government Security Centre has issued an RCB alert for the Lesko and Bieszczady districts in Podkarpackie, warning residents about the possibility of hearing shots and helicopter flights between September 14 and October 3. Authorities stressed this is part of planned exercises by uniformed services, not an emergency.
While routine in nature, the alert comes against a backdrop of heightened regional anxiety, with airports closing in eastern Poland and civil defense alerts issued in neighboring Romania. The overlap of scheduled drills and real-time threats underlines how tense and uncertain the security environment has become.