ISTANBUL

Dutch soldiers encountered unidentified drones during their NATO exercise in Poland, the Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

The ministry told the broadcaster NOS that their soldiers from the 11th Airmobile Brigade encountered unidentified drones and their communication systems were disrupted.

Brig. Gen. Frank Grandia assured that there was "no immediate threat," noting that they know there are parties "extremely interested" in what they are doing.

Grandia also noted that the soldiers were not carrying any drone defense systems, underlining that the systems were delivered from the Netherlands shortly after the incidents.

"We're quite a distance from the Russian border. We learned from that immediately and adapted immediately," he added.

It is not yet known who is behind the drones and the communication disruptions, while the exercise continues.

Dutch troops are stationed in Poland for NATO’s Falcon Autumn exercise, a major multinational air operation that includes forces from Poland, the US, and other allied nations.