Poland has called for urgent NATO consultations after Russian drones breached its airspace during overnight strikes on Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Wednesday.
Tusk described the incident as a “large-scale provocation”, saying Polish forces identified 19 violations of its airspace and shot down at least three drones with allied support. No casualties were reported.
It marks the first time a NATO member has attempted to intercept Russian drones, despite similar incursions since Moscow launched its full-scale war against Ukraine three-and-a-half years ago.
Poland formally invoked NATO’s Article 4, which allows member states to request emergency talks when their security is threatened. The North Atlantic Council subsequently held its meeting under the provision, which has only been triggered eight times in NATO’s history.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the violation a “dangerous precedent” for Europe, urging a strong response from Western allies. Poland’s military command described the event as “unprecedented” and an “act of aggression”.
Moscow’s ambassador to Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, was summoned by Poland’s foreign ministry, though he claimed no evidence had yet been provided linking the drones to Russia.
The incident came as Russia launched fresh missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including on Lviv, just 80 kilometers from the Polish border.
What you should know
The drone incursion has escalated tensions between NATO and Russia at a critical moment, with Poland warning that Moscow could expand its aggression beyond Ukraine.
By invoking Article 4, Warsaw is pressing allies to strengthen security in Eastern Europe, signaling that the alliance views the incident as more than a routine airspace breach.
