Poland and Ukraine are forging a new chapter in military cooperation, drawing on Ukraine’s hard-won expertise in drone warfare to bolster their defenses against the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems. The partnership, announced by officials from both countries on September 18, 2025, comes at a tense moment for NATO’s eastern flank, just days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace and highlighted the alliance’s vulnerability to modern drone attacks.
According to statements from both Warsaw and Kyiv, the agreement centers on the creation of joint military training programs and drone manufacturing projects. Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz signed a memorandum in Kyiv to establish a joint working group focused on uncrewed systems. The group’s mission: to exchange military experience, devise new methods for intercepting drones, and enhance interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces. As Shmyhal put it, “We are taking our security cooperation to a new level in response to Russian terror, which threatens Ukraine and other European countries.” (AP)
The urgency of this collaboration was underscored by recent events. On the night of September 17-18, 2025, Polish airspace became the target of heightened activity from Belarusian and Russian drones. Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski reported that, although none of the drones succeeded in crossing into Poland, the incident was serious enough to prompt the closure of the border until further provocations can be prevented. “The border will stay closed until Poland is sure there will be no further provocations,” Kierwinski stated in Warsaw. (AP)
For Poland, the incursion was a wake-up call. The breach not only exposed NATO’s current defensive limitations but also reinforced the need for rapid adaptation to the evolving nature of warfare. Drones, once the domain of reconnaissance, have taken center stage in both attack and defense roles since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The technology’s rapid development has forced militaries across Europe to rethink their doctrines and invest in new capabilities.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has become a proving ground for drone warfare. Its military has been locked in a fierce struggle against Russia’s larger army, relying on innovation and agility to compensate for the disparity in manpower. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after a recent visit to the Donetsk front, announced that Ukrainian forces had regained about 60 square miles (roughly 155-160 square kilometers) of territory and seven settlements in a counteroffensive. Nearly 100 Russian soldiers were taken prisoner in the operation. (AP, BBC)
Yet, the threat from the sky remains constant. Overnight before the announcement, Ukraine’s air defenses managed to shoot down or jam 48 out of 75 Russian drones launched at the country, according to the Ukrainian air force. These attacks have become routine, with rail and energy infrastructure repeatedly targeted in an effort to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines and sow social tension. “Strikes on energy and railway infrastructure are meant to disrupt supply lines and create social tension,” Zelenskyy said. (AP)
In a dramatic example of Ukraine’s evolving drone capabilities, two Ukrainian drones struck the Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan on September 18, 2025. The refinery, owned by Gazprom and situated more than 1,000 kilometers (over 600 miles) from Ukraine, was set ablaze in the attack. Bashkortostan Governor Radiy Khabirov confirmed the incident, noting that the primary oil refining unit was hit and a large fire ensued, though there were no casualties. An official from Ukraine’s Security Service, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, confirmed Ukraine’s role in the operation. (AP)
This strike is part of a broader Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian oil refineries, a strategy that seeks to hit Russia’s war economy where it hurts. As the world’s second-largest oil exporter, Russia relies heavily on revenue from its energy sector to fund military operations. Sustained Ukrainian drone attacks, coupled with seasonal demand spikes, have reportedly led to fuel shortages at Russian pumps. The message is clear: Ukraine is no longer content to play defense alone, but is taking the fight deep into Russian territory.
But while Ukraine innovates, Russia is not standing still. President Vladimir Putin, in a meeting with Russian political party leaders on September 18, 2025, stated that Moscow now has more than 700,000 troops deployed on the front line—a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge facing Ukraine and its allies. (BBC, AP)
Further compounding regional anxieties, Russia and Belarus recently conducted long-planned joint military exercises that showcased both conventional and nuclear capabilities. The drills, held near Barysaw, Belarus, were closely watched by Western observers and fueled concerns about Moscow’s intentions. NATO, in response, has announced it is strengthening its defensive posture along its eastern borders with Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. The alliance’s moves are designed to reassure member states like Poland and deter further Russian aggression, but they also reflect a broader shift in the security landscape of Eastern Europe. (AP, BBC)
The new Polish-Ukrainian partnership is not just about hardware and tactics—it’s about building trust and resilience in the face of shared threats. By pooling their knowledge and resources, the two countries hope to stay ahead of Russia’s rapidly adapting military. The lessons learned on Ukraine’s battlefields are now being translated into joint projects that could shape the future of European defense.
Still, the stakes remain high. The war in Ukraine shows little sign of abating, despite months of diplomatic efforts, including a U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska aimed at de-escalation. The conflict’s persistence, combined with technological innovation and shifting alliances, means that the outcome is far from certain. For now, though, Poland and Ukraine are betting that collaboration—and a willingness to learn from each other—will give them an edge in a conflict where the rules are being rewritten in real time.
The coming months will test the effectiveness of this new alliance, as both nations brace for further provocations and prepare for the next phase of a war that is reshaping the very nature of security in Europe.