Russian drones over Poland: NATO reacts, Article 4 launched

Warsaw, September 10, 2025. – On the night of 9th to 10th September, Polish airspace was repeatedly affected by at least 19 Russian drones, which is an unprecedented incidental since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish armed forces, supported by NATO allies, shot down at least 3 of them and the 4th was most likely besides neutralized. Prime Minister Donald Tusk launched Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, calling for urgent consultations in the Alliance. Although NATO does not classify events as a formal attack, preliminary data indicate the deliberate nature of Moscow's provocation, which raises serious concerns about the escalation of the conflict.

Alliance consultation took on the nature of the formal proposal to launch Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. pic.twitter.com/EbNBud5IWE

"Act of aggression" – reaction of Polish armed forces

Operations Command of Armed Forces Types (DORSZ) identified the incidental as "unprecedented in scale breach of Polish airspace by drone-type objects"which was "an act of aggression creating a real threat to the safety of our citizens". During the night of Russia's attack on Ukraine, Polish air defence launched all essential procedures.

According to the findings of “Rzeczpospolita” and another media, Poland's airspace has breached at least 20 drones, possibly Shahed kind (Iranian production, utilized by Russia). A large part came straight from the territory of Belarus, which underlines Minsk's function in the escalation. 3 drones were shot down and the search for wreckage continued – remains were found in Wyryka, Czeszki and Czosnówka. 1 fragment hit the flat building, but no casualties were reported. The incidental resulted in the temporary closure of 4 airports, including Chopin in Warsaw and Rzeszów-Jasionka, and the cessation of air traffic over Warsaw, Lublin and another regions.

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Deputy Prime Minister and head of MON Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that the threat drones were shot down with weapons. The action was attended by Polish F-16, Dutch F-35 (stationed in Poland since 1 September) and Italian AWACS aircraft for early warning. This is the first time NATO aircraft has shot down Russian drones over the territory of an alliance associate state. In connection with the incident, the readiness of soldiers in 4 east provinces was reduced to six hours, and the Territorial Defence Army was activated to search for wrecks. An alert was besides announced for police in these regions.

Prime Minister Tusk stressed the situation on platform X: "The operation is due to repeated violations of Polish airspace. The military utilized weapons against objects. I am in constant contact with the president and Minister of Defence."

Operation related to repeated violations of Polish airspace is ongoing. The military utilized weapons against objects. I'm in constant contact with the president and the defence Minister. I received a direct study from the operations commander.

Later, in the Sejm, he called the incidental "High-scale provocation" and warned: "Poland has been closest to open conflict since planet War II". He besides convened an extraordinary gathering of the government and a gathering at the National safety Office attended by president Karol Nawrocki. The president called the event "an unprecedented minute in NATO and Poland's history", emphasizing the request to draw consequences and thanking the soldiers for their fast response.

NATO: ‘It was not an attack’, but a deliberate provocation

NATO does not treat trespassing as a formal attack, but as a serious violation, she handed over Reuter's agency, citing sources in the Alliance. "The intrusion of Russian drones into Poland's airspace was deliberate" – is the first assessment. This is the first case in which NATO aircraft have fought a possible threat in the Alliance's airspace. The North Atlantic Council will discuss the consequence during the Wednesday meeting.

NATO spokesperson Alison Hart wrote on X: "Last night many drones flew into Polish airspace and encountered opposition of Polish and Natov air defence". She stressed that Secretary-General Mark Rutte is in constant contact with the Polish authorities and the Alliance is conducting close consultations. NATO Force Commander in Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, stated: "Soius reacted rapidly and decisively, demonstrating our capabilities".

Poland formally launched Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which means political consultation in the face of a threat to the safety of an Alliance member. It is the seventh specified call in NATO past and the second by Poland. Prime Minister Tusk explained: "The fact that these drones were shot down changes the political situation".

International reactions

The planet reacted immediately, highlighting the seriousness of the incident. Head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas called it "the most serious breach of European airspace by Russia since the start of the war" and added: ‘Indications propose it was intentional, not accidental. Russia's war escalates, does not end." Ursula von der Leyen condemned “irresponsible and reckless” Moscow actions, calling for the creation of an anti-drone wall in the east of the EU.

French president Emmanuel Macro defined the situation as ‘just unacceptable’ and assured solidarity with Poland. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, as well as Swedish, Finnish and Irish leaders gave their support.

There were warnings from the US about investigating NATO's determination. Senator Dick Durbin considered the incidental a informing signal, and Congressman Joe Wilson called it “the act of war”.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski assessed the situation as "A dangerous precedent for Europe". The Kremlin denies work and Belarus claims that drones were ‘lost’.

Background and implications

The incidental is included in a series of erstwhile infringements. Experts, including General Stanisław Koziej, indicate that this is simply a test of NATO consequence against the “Zapad-2025” maneuvers. Prime Minister Tusk stressed: "This provocation is incomparably more dangerous than erstwhile ones".

In Poland, serious gaps in the anti-drone strategy were revealed. The SkyCTRL modernisation has been halted by the method Modernisation Council and the deficiency of funds delays the implementation of fresh solutions. Analysts inform that full capacity enhancement will take months.

For the first time NATO shot down Russian drones over a associate State. This event changes the dynamics of war, raising the stakes for the full Alliance and showing that borders are not untouchable.

Dariusz Frach, thefad.pl / Based on reports from Reuter, “Rzeczpospolita”, TVN24 and PAP