Russian Gerbera Drones With Extra Fuel Tanks Violate Poland Airspace

Russian Gerbera drones, a cheap long-range UAV assembled in Russia from Chinese kits, were involved in a recent violation of Polish airspace, marking a significant escalation as Poland is a NATO member. These drones, typically with a single fuel tank, were found in Poland equipped with additional flexible polymer fuel tanks, extending their range beyond the claimed 700 kilometers and enabling them to reach Poland via Belarus. Ukrainian intelligence and Western analysts describe the Gerbera as a decoy or lightly armed reconnaissance drone used to saturate air defenses, with some versions carrying small warheads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the airspace breaches and urged NATO and European countries to develop a joint air defense system to protect European airspace. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has requested NATO consultations under Article 4 of the alliance treaty due to the threat posed by these incursions. Russia denies targeting Poland and disputes the drones' ability to reach NATO territory, though recovered drone wreckage contradicts these claims by showing modifications for extended range.