Poland has moved to consult its NATO partners after Russian drones violated its airspace overnight, invoking Article 4 of the alliance’s founding treaty. The provision allows any member state to call for urgent talks when it believes its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or security is under threat.
The incident took place in the early hours between Tuesday and Wednesday, when several Russian kamikaze drones crossed into Polish airspace during Moscow’s latest large-scale assault on Ukraine. According to Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polish air defences responded decisively, neutralising every drone that posed a risk to the country.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, addressing parliament on Wednesday morning, confirmed that Warsaw would formally request NATO consultations under Article 4. By the afternoon, government spokesperson Adam Szłapka reported that the discussions had already taken place, with Poland urging its allies to step up support for strengthening the protection of its skies.
In Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s main decision-making body, had met to examine Poland’s appeal. He said allies expressed full solidarity with Warsaw and strongly condemned Russia’s actions.
“Our air defences remain on constant alert,” Rutte told journalists, emphasising that NATO continues to closely monitor the security situation on the alliance’s eastern flank.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the swift and coordinated reaction of allies, including Poland, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, to the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace. After consultations under Article 4, the alliance reaffirmed its solidarity with Warsaw, condemned Moscow’s actions, and pledged to keep air defences on constant alert along NATO’s eastern flank. Rutte stressed that whether the violation was intentional or not, it was dangerous and NATO stands ready to defend “every inch” of allied territory.
Source: PAP
Photo: @sentdefender
Tomasz Modrzejewski
