Poland has called for urgent NATO consultations under Article 4 after a wave of Russian drones violated its airspace, raising fresh concerns over regional security and the risk of wider conflict. Officials reported that 19 drones crossed into Polish territory overnight, with several intercepted and shot down by Polish and allied aircraft. Debris was later recovered in multiple areas in the east of the country.
The incident comes at a critical moment, as Poland remains one of NATO’s front-line states supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as the closest Poland has come to open conflict since World War II. He stressed that the country’s security and sovereignty are under direct threat, and that NATO unity is essential in the face of provocations.
NATO’s Article 4 requires members to meet for consultations whenever one feels its security is endangered. While it does not carry the collective defense commitment of Article 5, it puts the issue on the alliance’s highest security agenda. Allies have expressed solidarity with Poland, and defense ministers are considering stronger air patrols and further reinforcement along NATO’s eastern flank.
Russia has denied deliberately targeting Poland, claiming that drones strayed off course accidentally. Warsaw has rejected those explanations, pointing out the scale of the overnight incursion and its potential to destabilize the region. Military analysts believe the incident may have been a test of NATO’s air defense systems, highlighting the challenges posed by low-cost drones in modern warfare.
The drone incursions underscore the growing dangers facing Europe’s eastern borders. For Poland and NATO, the focus now is on demonstrating resolve and ensuring that any future violations are met with a coordinated and decisive response.