Warsaw, September 11 - NATO forces, including Polish and Dutch fighter jets, on September 10, 2025, scrambled to intercept and shoot down multiple Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during a large-scale Russian aerial attack on neighboring Ukraine. This unprecedented incident marked the first time NATO engaged Russian military assets directly over its territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The Polish Armed Forces’ Operational Command reported that the drones, identified as part of Russia’s overnight assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian regions, repeatedly crossed into Polish territory. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incursion as a “large-scale provocation,” noting that 19 drones breached Polish airspace over seven hours, with at least three posing an immediate threat to civilians being neutralized by Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s. The operation involved heightened air defense measures, including ground-based radar systems and NATO air policing assets stationed at Poznan Krzesiny airbase, ensuring the safety of Polish airspace.
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The Russian drones, some identified as Chinese-designed Gerbera decoy drones, entered Poland around 1:50 a.m. local time, with several originating from Belarus, where Russian and Belarusian forces were preparing for joint military exercises. These drones, primarily used to mimic the radar signatures of more destructive models like the Shahed, caused debris to scatter across residential areas, including Wyryki-Wola in the Lublin district and Olesno, approximately 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Polish authorities reported nine crash sites, with no immediate casualties or significant damage, though one drone impacted a house in Wyryki, destroying its roof. The Polish military temporarily closed four airports, including Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, due to the ongoing military activity, as confirmed by notices on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s website. Ukraine’s Air Force initially reported that Russian drones were heading toward Polish cities like Zamosc, about 70 kilometers from the border, but later retracted the statement, leaving some details unclear.
In response to the incursion, Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, a rarely used mechanism that initiates formal consultations among alliance members when a member state perceives a threat to its security. This marked only the eighth time Article 4 has been invoked since NATO’s founding in 1949, underscoring the gravity of the situation. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the involvement of Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, German Patriot systems, and an Italian AWACS aircraft in the operation, which concluded by 7:42 a.m. local time. European leaders, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, labeled the incursion a deliberate escalation by Russia, testing NATO’s resolve. Russia’s Defense Ministry denied targeting Poland, claiming its drones, with a stated range of 700 kilometers, could not reach Polish territory, a claim contradicted by the fact that Poland’s eastern border is within 600 kilometers of western Russia.
The incident has raised fears of the Ukraine conflict spilling over into NATO territory, amplifying concerns about escalation. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski praised the Dutch pilots for their role in neutralizing the drones, while Tusk emphasized that NATO allies were treating the situation with utmost seriousness. The operation highlighted NATO’s rapid response capabilities and its commitment to collective defense, but it also exposed the challenges of managing airspace violations amid an intensifying regional conflict. As Poland prepares to close its border with Belarus due to the planned Russian-led military exercises, the event underscores the fragile security dynamics in Eastern Europe, with NATO remaining vigilant against further provocations.