Bloomberg Names Five Lessons From The Drone Raid On Poland
- 11.09.2025, 11:01
The U.S. and Europe can learn a lot from Russia's "preemptive shot."
Russia's overnight drone attack on Poland was an unprecedented signal that is forcing the U.S. and Europe to rethink their own security. Columnist Bloomberg Mark Champion highlights at least five key lessons from the event.
Russia did what seemed impossible
The first and foremost conclusion is that no one can any longer consider the idea that the Kremlin is capable of attacking a NATO member absurd. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski confirmed that "nineteen drones entered Polish airspace," and that was enough for Warsaw to invoke NATO's Article 4.
Moscow, on the other hand, assured that it "had no intention of striking any targets in Poland," but the fact remains.
Ukraine is a shield for Europe
The second lesson concerns Ukraine's role. "Consider for a moment the idea that Putin is finally allowed to accomplish his goals in Ukraine..... A drone invasion from a shorter distance ... would be just one tool for further destabilization," the analysis said.
The experience in Belarus shows that Putin does not have to occupy a country to use its territory to deploy missiles or troops.
"God help if there are 600 drones."
The third conclusion concerns NATO's weaknesses. According to air force expert Phillips O'Brien, "The alliance's reliance on expensive aircraft and missiles to shoot down just a few Russian drones ... shows how unprepared the defense remains." He warns, "God help them if they face 600 drones and missiles in one night."
Attack Without Invasion
The fourth lesson is that Putin does not need to bring in troops to attack a state. It could be "cyberattacks, sabotage or mass drone and missile strikes," experts said. O'Brien called the strike on Poland a "training wheel" for Moscow.
Will NATO stand up?"
Finally, the fifth lesson concerns the West's reaction. "How the U.S. responds now - whether with absolute devotion to Poland's defense or something less - will be critical," the piece notes.
If the response is weak, Putin may further "look for weaknesses to prove that the alliance is a paper tiger."
Experts warn: the attack on Poland was "only a warning shot." At the same time, they note that Kiev is now deploying an army and defense production that "no European country west of it can hope to level in the near future."