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Poland Says 19 Russian Drones Violated Airspace as NATO Jets Intercept Threats
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Poland confirmed that 19 Russian drones crossed into its airspace overnight, with many entering from Belarus, Prime Minister Donald Tusk told lawmakers in the Polish Parliament on September 10.
He said Polish and NATO fighter jets intercepted several air targets, shooting down at least three and likely a fourth.
“The fact that these drones, which posed a security threat, were shot down changes the political situation. Therefore, allied consultations took the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the NATO Treaty,” Tusk said.
According to this article, “the parties shall consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened.”
Since NATO was established in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked only seven times, most recently in 2022 immediately after Russia attacked Ukraine.
The overnight incident marked the first time NATO aircraft engaged a potential threat inside the alliance’s airspace, according to Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander and a US Air Force general.
“The Alliance responded quickly and decisively to the situation, demonstrating both capability and resolve to defend allied territory,” Grynkewich said.
Poland’s government described the incident as “an act of aggression” following Russia’s massive drone assault on western Ukraine, which spilled over into Polish territory.
Tusk convened an emergency cabinet meeting early Wednesday and later stressed that Polish forces had successfully neutralized drones posing “a direct threat” to the country.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv is prepared to assist Poland in building a warning and protection system against Russian attacks, stressing the need for a pan-European approach to air defense.
