Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the violation of Poland’s airspace by Russian drones and express solidarity with Poland, while also providing details on the Government's response to this incident?
House of Commons · Urgent Question
Russian Drones Violation of Polish Airspace 2025-09-10
10 September 2025 · 32 other contributors
Opened by James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
James Cartlidge raised concerns about russian drones violation of polish airspace 2025-09-10 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
- Russian drones violated Polish airspace on 2025-09-10 and were shot down by Polish forces.
- Warsaw airport was temporarily closed as a result of the airspace violation.
- The UK Prime Minister contacted Polish Prime Minister Tusk to express solidarity and support for Poland's invocation of NATO article 4.
How the debate unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Other contributors (32)
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Question
What judgment has been formed about the precise motivation for this drone incursion? What does invoking article 4 mean in practical terms, and what discussions have the UK Government had with US counterparts?
Minister reply
Poland invoked NATO article 4 to consult allies when it perceives its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened. We are discussing with E5 counterparts today on additional support for Ukraine and NATO.
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Question
Is this not another example of Russia's disregard for international law, requiring ramping up industrial co-operation for Ukraine and increasing defence expenditure?
Minister reply
The violation by Putin is a serious breach of international law. We are supporting Ukraine significantly with munitions, artillery shells, rockets, missiles, vehicles, and electronic warfare systems.
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Question
What tangible actions will the Government take to further support Poland and NATO? Will the Minister commit to seizing Russian assets in the UK?
Minister reply
We are working hard with Polish forces and considering additional sanctions. We have significant asset freezing measures already in place.
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Question
How will the Government ensure that UK’s drone and air defence capabilities meet the challenges of modern warfare?
Minister reply
We are evaluating our defence capabilities to match the changing nature of warfare, including drones. We are committed to ensuring robust response measures.
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Question
Following previous questions, will my hon Friend engage with Foreign Office to try to put pressure on President Trump about sanctions against Putin?
Minister reply
I thank the MP for his contribution. We will discuss it with cross-Government colleagues and highlight its importance during US visits.
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Question
Is Russia testing NATO's resolve, and what does a robust response mean? What about UK air defences given Russian ships around these isles?
Minister reply
Russia has been consistently testing NATO for years. We support Ukraine’s strategy of fight and talk to keep pressure on Russians. Regarding UK air defence, we have operational capabilities detailed in the Strategic Defence Review.
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Question
What steps has the Minister taken to review our defences following recent events?
Minister reply
We are fully supporting NATO allies. The UK is involved in joint ventures and partnerships to re-establish military industrial base of Europe, central to which is air defence.
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Question
Are the Government supporting EU efforts to unlock frozen Russian assets held by Ukraine?
Minister reply
We support getting resources into Ukraine in any way. I will raise this specific matter with Home Office and get back to the MP.
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Question
Will the Minister update on conversations with European counterparts regarding Polish air defence last night?
Minister reply
First, I thank both Polish and NATO air defence forces. We are working towards a bilateral defence and security treaty with Poland.
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Question
What steps are the Government taking to ensure UK territory, critical infrastructure and military bases have an organic capability against drones?
Minister reply
We need an integrated air defence system with allies. We are working on industrial rebuild for air defence and learning from Ukrainian best practices.
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Question
Will the Ministry, with NATO partners, be unequivocal in reminding Russian counterparts of NATO article 5?
Minister reply
We will absolutely do that. We will remind all our allies and partners of the severity of the situation.
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Question
What are the Government doing to highlight UK's obligations under article 5 to citizens?
Minister reply
It is important to remind our citizens about the impact of war on the cost of living and that we will have an obligation to defend if article 5 is invoked.
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Question
Can we ensure that we are providing all resources to counter disinformation, which is a battlespace on its own, and that we are ramping up against the current threat that Russia is pushing out across NATO countries?
Minister reply
Some can be quite disparaging about it, but it is worth reminding ourselves that NATO is the most effective military alliance ever seen in history. Its numbers and capacity far outweigh some of our adversaries. We have fantastic command capability in information operations.
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Question
Can the Minister reassure Banbury’s Polish community that our relationship with Poland is steadfast and that this Government are taking steps to strengthen it?
Minister reply
Putin’s actions pull NATO together and forge alliances. The UK stands firmly with Poland, its allies and partners. We have great cultural ties with Poland and are fully behind them.
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Question
Can the Minister help the House understand what the robust response to this flagrant attack will look like?
Minister reply
NATO is strengthened by these incidents. Russia’s actions are a mismove as they focus the alliance on unity of effort and deterrence.
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Question
Can he assure me that the UK and NATO will not be intimidated and that the Government are considering robust military options to stand up to this bully in Moscow?
Minister reply
We as a country will not be intimidated, and neither will NATO. The strategic defence review focuses on industry and building capacity.
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Question
What are the Government’s plans to strengthen our deterrence on NATO’s north-eastern flank?
Minister reply
Poland is one of our strongest allies. We are working towards a bilateral defence and security treaty with significant industrial and bilateral benefits.
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Question
How are the Government intending to support Poland in defending its sovereignty, and what steps are the Government taking to strengthen our own security?
Minister reply
We have a multitude of capabilities in Poland that rotate through. We also have light cavalry squadron working with the Polish and US forces.
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Question
What assurances can he give the Polish community in my constituency and across the country, and what work will he do across Government to support the Polish community at this difficult time?
Minister reply
NATO is the most effective military alliance of all time. Poland, the UK and our allies sit central to that, providing the best form of deterrence.
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Question
Does the Minister not agree that what has happened with this violation of Polish and NATO airspace completely vindicates President Zelensky?
Minister reply
President Zelensky is correct. The situation in Ukraine reflects any battlefront from WWI to WWII, with a million Russian casualties.
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Question
Will the Minister reassure the House and the public that the Government are doing all they can to deal with the Russian threat of cyber-attacks and grey warfare on Europe and, indeed, this country?
Minister reply
We must be honest about the risks. The strategic defence review focuses on military intelligence and investment in defence industry.
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Question
Can we point out to President Trump in the strongest possible terms that this response by Russia a couple of weeks after rolling out the red carpet for the killer in the Kremlin shows nothing but disrespect to the White House and its occupant?
Minister reply
The United States has been really clear that it would like European nations to spend more on defence. We are going to sit down with him and discuss these issues in detail when the US President comes to the UK.
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Question
Will the Minister push for a cohesive plan to seize frozen Russian assets and funnel them to support Ukraine’s humanitarian mission?
Minister reply
Discussions are ongoing now about how we can push the system more to pressure Russia into coming towards the peace table.
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Question
What progress has there been on the joint UK-Poland future common missile programme for longer-range ground-based air defence?
Minister reply
I do not have the detail on that industrial partnership; I can write back to the hon. Member in due course.
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Question
Are we importing considerable quantities of Russian crude oil that has been refined down, and was there any attempt in the recent trade deal with India to put restraint on this?
Minister reply
On the latter point, I will engage with my colleagues across Government and look into the detail. Putting pressure on Russia is absolutely our priority.
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Question
What can we do as a leading military power in Europe to enhance and reinforce the capabilities of NATO allies who are on the frontline?
Minister reply
We are doing that right now with the defence industrial strategy, the strategic defence review and the industrial rebuild.
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Question
Will the Government commit to producing a cohesive plan to seize frozen Russian assets held in their countries and funnel them to support Ukraine?
Minister reply
The United States is one of our most critical allies, and when the President of the United States visits the UK there will be a multitude of discussions.
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Question
Do we need to take stronger steps to deter Putin by seizing billions in frozen Russian assets across the UK and using them to support Ukraine?
Minister reply
We will continue to push and pressure Putin to bring him to the peace table, through a whole suite of different capabilities.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that had the US acceded to demands for roll-back in NATO deployments from central and eastern Europe, we might be seeing devastating consequences in Poland today?
Minister reply
There are huge multinational NATO exercises that take place every year. We demonstrate to Russia on multiple different occasions how effective the NATO alliance is.
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Question
Will the Minister meet me to urgently address proposals by Homes England to build a new town in Chalgrove airfield, which threatens UK national security?
Minister reply
Yes.
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Question
What collective discussions will be held within NATO to determine a robust response to the testing of our borders and the resolution to stand fast against Russia?
Minister reply
Discussions in the E5 are ongoing as we speak, and the NAC has sat and will continue to discuss this issue.
Government Response
Last night, Russia violated Polish airspace when multiple Russian drones were shot down by Poland. This is an unprecedented violation that went deep enough to close Warsaw airport temporarily. The Prime Minister has been in contact with Prime Minister Tusk to confirm UK’s support for Poland and its invocation of NATO article 4. We condemn the actions of Russia and will continue to provide support to Ukraine and strengthen NATO's solidarity.
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