Poland’s Defence Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated in the Sejm that support for Ukraine is directly in line with Poland’s security interests. According to him, Russian missiles and drones are already falling just a few kilometres from the Polish border, and without Ukraine’s air defence systems, some of these weapons could reach Polish territory.
- Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed the Polish Sejm.
- He called for continued support for Ukraine.
- Russian drones are crashing near the Polish border.
- According to him, Ukraine’s air defence system also protects Poland.
- The minister criticised his opponents’ anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
Kosinyak-Kamysh: Missiles must be shot down whilst still over Ukraine
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh spoke on 18 September during a debate in the Sejm, where he responded to criticism of the government’s policy towards Ukraine.
He emphasised that support for Ukraine remains a matter of Polish national security, even despite the unresolved historical disputes between the two countries.
«Rockets are falling, and drones are crashing a kilometre from the Polish border. If Ukraine does not have air defence systems and ammunition to shoot down these drones, most of them will fly across Ukraine and reach Poland,» said Kosiniak-Kamysz.
According to him, it is in Poland’s national interest for Russian missiles and drones to be intercepted whilst still over Ukrainian territory, rather than after they have approached Poland.
The minister responded to critics of support for Ukraine
Kosiniak-Kamysz devoted a separate section of his speech to the political debate within Poland.
In particular, he replied to the MP Lukáš Mezi, who had criticised the government for its policy towards Ukraine and Ukrainians. The minister stated that anti-Ukrainian rhetoric has its limits, beyond which it begins to conflict with Poland’s security interests.
It was in this context that he said:
«Carry on hounding the Ukrainians,» Kosiniak-Kamysz told his critics, warning of the consequences of reducing support for Ukraine.
The minister also stated that attempts to sow discord between Poles and Ukrainians are in line with Russia’s strategy of destabilisation. This was a political statement made as part of his speech, rather than an independent assessment.
Russian strikes have drawn closer to the Polish border
On the eve of the Polish Prime Minister’s visit Donald Tusk He also stated in the Sejm that Russian attacks on western Ukraine are becoming increasingly frequent near the Polish border.
According to him, during the most recent attacks, jet-powered drones were deployed at a range of approximately 2.5–3.5 km from Polish territory. Tusk warned that Russia is stepping up its use of high-speed jet drones, which remain difficult to counter.
On 17 September, the Polish side also reported that a Russian attack drone had crashed or been shot down approximately 4 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border in the Volyn Oblast.
Poland is stepping up border security
Against the backdrop of such incidents, Poland has begun to further reinforce its infrastructure at border crossings with Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence has deployed engineering units to erect defensive structures near Dorogusk, Medyka and Korchova. The measures include protective barriers and additional observation posts.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised that Warsaw continues to view support for Ukraine’s air defence as one of the ways to reduce the threat to Poland itself.
