Zelensky urges allies to rethink air defense after Poland drone intrusion

KYIV, September 12 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Kyiv's allies on Thursday to rethink their own air defense capabilities after incursions into Polish airspace by drones that Warsaw said were Russian. Speaking in Kyiv beside visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky said Ukraine was "open and ready" to provide support for its allies' efforts.

Zelensky said countries such as Poland should explore similar multi-layered approaches as missile systems such as the U.S.-made Patriot were too expensive to use against cheaper drones used by Russia. "No one in the world has enough missiles to shoot down all different types of drones," Zelensky said. With backing from its NATO allies on Wednesday, Poland shot down several drones that entered its airspace in what the Polish president said was a provocation by Russia intended to test the response from Poland and NATO.

Zelensky said that Ukraine, which is heavily dependent on Western long-range air defense systems but has developed a sophisticated domestic approach to repel Russian attacks, was in a position to provide guidance to its allies on such matters. He said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had already agreed to send military representatives to Ukraine on the issue.

Source: reuters.com