Dutch F-35 fighter jets stationed in Poland have shot down drones over Poland during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, defence minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed on Wednesday morning.

The drones were identified as Shahed models, which are widely used by the Russian military in its attacks on Ukraine, Brekelmans told reporters after a meeting with the prime minister.

Poland had already reported that Dutch jets, alongside other Nato aircraft, were active in its airspace after suspected Russian drones crossed the border. Russia has denied involvement and said Poland has provided no evidence, according to Reuters.

Four Dutch F-35s have been deployed in Poland to help defend Nato’s eastern flank. The drones that entered Poland were part of the latest major aerial attack on Ukraine – the two countries share a 530-kilometre border.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia’s attack involved 415 drones, one ballistic missile and 42 cruise missiles, and “eight enemy UAVs crossed the Ukrainian state border flying in Poland’s direction.”

Brekelmans said the aircraft were engaged “for an extended period” during the overnight incident. Shahed drones are produced in Iran and supplied to Moscow after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 although Russia is now also manufacturing its own versions.

Russian drones flying over Ukraine are known to occasionally cross into neighbouring Poland, which is a Nato member. Nevertheless, Brekelmans told ANP it was possible the latest incident was intentional. “The fact that this involved several drones does, of course, make it extra suspicious,” he said.

Dutch foreign minister David van Weel said on Wednesday morning that the Russian drone violations of Nato airspace are unacceptable and a threat to Europe’s security.

“The Netherlands stands firmly with Poland,” he said. “Nato must remain ready, and tougher sanctions must put greater pressure on Russia’s war economy.”

The EU’s foreign chief Kaja Kallas said that Russia was escalating the war in Ukraine and that the drone attack was “the most serious breach of European air space by Russia.”

She said there are indications it was deliberate rather than an accident, and again called for more investment in European defence.