- Polish citizens overwhelmingly oppose transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine, with nearly two-thirds against the move.
- Opposition voters show 82% resistance to sending Poland's air defense systems to Kyiv.
- Ruling coalition supporters remain divided, with only 49% favoring the transfer of Patriot interceptors.
- Poland has already given up its place in a U.S. purchasing queue to prioritize Ukraine's missile needs.
- Growing public wariness reflects fears that depleting Poland’s own defenses leaves its skies vulnerable.
A new survey conducted by the IBRiS research center reveals that nearly two-thirds of Polish citizens oppose transferring Patriot interceptor missiles from their country's stockpile to Ukraine, even as Kyiv pleads for more air defense systems to counter intensifying Russian attacks. The nationwide poll of 1,067 respondents, conducted July 21-22, found that a combined 64.4% opposed the transfer — 46.8% said Poland should definitely not supply the missiles, and 17.6% said they would prefer that it not do so. Just 21.6% were in favor, split between 14.4% who said they would prefer that Poland do so and 7.2% who said it definitely should. The remaining 14% were undecided.
Opposition voters overwhelmingly reject transfers
The survey, published by Poland's Radio ZET, shows clear political divides over the issue. Among voters supporting opposition parties — including Law and Justice, Confederation, Confederation of the Polish Crown, and Together — 82% oppose transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine, while just 10% back such a decision.
This resistance comes despite Poland's stated commitment to supporting Ukraine. In its new foreign policy strategy for 2026-2030, Warsaw reaffirmed its pledge to provide long-term assistance to Kyiv and called on Europe to take greater responsibility for regional security.
Ruling coalition supporters remain divided
Supporters of Poland's ruling camp show significantly different views, with 49% favoring the transfer of Patriot missiles to Ukraine's military, compared to 35% who oppose it. This split within the governing coalition highlights how military aid to Ukraine remains one of the most contentious issues dividing Polish society.
Poland has already provided some assistance. In July, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Warsaw had transferred five Patriot missiles to Ukraine, a decision he said was coordinated with NATO and the United States.
Poland's own defense needs under scrutiny
The Polish Armed Forces likely possess approximately 208 Patriot interceptor missiles, although exact numbers remain classified. Polish parliament deputy speaker Krzysztof Bosak has pointed out that some of the missiles Ukraine received actually came from Poland's own purchases, originally intended to build up Warsaw's air defenses.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau at the Office of the President of Poland, has confirmed that Poland previously gave up its place in a U.S. purchasing queue so that Ukraine could acquire Patriot missiles instead.
The question of balancing support for Kyiv with maintaining adequate defenses at home appears to be influencing public opinion. As Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine continue to intensify, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has estimated Kyiv needs roughly 300 interceptors to withstand what is shaping up to be another bitter winter of war.
Growing pressure on European allies
The Polish public's reluctance mirrors broader European tensions over Patriot transfers. The European Commission is expected to pressure member states — particularly Spain and Greece — to provide more interceptors at an upcoming defense meeting. Spain has already pledged five Patriot missiles to Ukraine, while Greece has so far declined to part with any of its six Patriot batteries, with Athens maintaining they are needed to protect its own airspace.
Russia has repeatedly warned that arms shipments to Ukraine hinder peace efforts and make NATO countries parties to the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that any shipments containing weapons for Ukraine would become legitimate targets for Russian forces.
The poll adds to a growing body of evidence that ordinary Poles are increasingly wary of their government's open-ended commitments to Kyiv, even as Warsaw and Brussels press allies to draw down what's left of their own air defenses. With Poland's own stockpile reportedly numbering only in the low hundreds, the debate raises a pointed question for policymakers: how much of a NATO member's security can be handed over before its own skies are left exposed?
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