POLAND’S defence chief travelled to Kiev today in search of Ukrainian help in developing his country’s drone warfare capabilities, just over a week after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.

Drones used for defence and attack have taken a central battlefield role in the more than three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, transforming how wars are waged, and countries are keen to master the new and quickly developing battlefield technology.

“We will be signing an agreement concerning cooperation between the (defence) ministries, but also acquiring capabilities when it comes to operating drones,” Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a statement.

Last week’s Russian incursion, which caused Nato to send fighter jets to shoot down the drones, heightened tensions in eastern Europe.

Ukraine’s air defence shot down or jammed 48 out of 75 Russian drones launched at the country overnight, the air force said today.

Rail infrastructure was again hit, part of a recent pattern of strikes.