NATO: Alliance Reacted Quickly And Decisively To Russian Drone Incursions Into Poland

• 10.09.2025, 13:18

The operation involved not only Polish forces, but also Dutch, German and Italian forces.

"The Netherlands and Poland were not the only countries to respond. German Patriot systems deployed in Poland were put on standby, and an Italian early warning aircraft and a tanker from NATO's multinational MRTT fleet were activated," according to a statement released by NATO.

It was emphasized that NATO responded quickly and decisively, "demonstrating its capabilities and resolve in defending allied territory."

"This is the first time that NATO aircraft have taken action against potential threats in Alliance member states' airspace," it further noted.

The North Atlantic Council on Wednesday will discuss the Alliance's response to the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace. A NATO source cited by Reuters said preliminary reports suggest the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace was deliberate.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during his speech to the Sejm on Wednesday that "the allies' consultations have taken on the character of a formal request to invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

- Article 4 is only an introduction to deeper cooperation, and words are not enough here. We will expect much more support in the consultations. This is not only the Ukrainians' war, this is a war, a confrontation that Russia has declared to the entire free world," Donald Tusk emphasized.

The North Atlantic Treaty's Article 4 states that NATO member states will hold joint consultations if, in the opinion of any of them, its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened. This provision allows for the convening of high-level talks to discuss threats and how to prevent them, rather than being a defensive mechanism within the meaning of Article 5.