Poland Invokes NATO Article 4 After Russian Drone Incursions, Escalating Tensions

Poland has formally invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, initiating urgent consultations among alliance members, following multiple incursions by Russian drones into its airspace. The move comes after Polish and other NATO aircraft successfully intercepted and shot down at least three Russian drones during overnight attacks on Ukraine, some of which penetrated deep into Polish territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed that 19 drone incursions were recorded, with some incidents serious enough to temporarily close four airports, including Warsaw’s main hub. Tusk warned that the situation has brought Poland “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.” This marks the first instance of Russian drones being downed over NATO territory since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

While Russia’s defence ministry denied any intent to target Polish facilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the events as “an extremely dangerous precedent for Europe.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has praised the alliance’s “very successful reaction,” as Polish military forces, supported by NATO aircraft including F-35 and F-16 jets, were placed on maximum alert.

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