WARSAW – September 9, 2025 – In a significant escalation of the conflict in Eastern Europe, Polish forces shot down multiple Russian drones that violated its airspace during a massive Russian assault on Ukraine. The incident marks the first known direct military engagement between a NATO member state and Russian forces.
According to Polish officials, the nation’s air defenses identified and engaged the drones after recording 19 separate airspace violations. The government described the incursions as “deliberate provocations” and has invoked NATO Article 4, triggering urgent consultations among the 32-member alliance. The article is invoked when a member believes its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the nation, stating the event represents “the closest Europe has come to war since World War II” and underscored the grave threat posed by the violations. The move prompted swift statements of support from key NATO allies and global condemnation of Russia’s actions.
The incident has drawn sharp reaction from U.S. lawmakers. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) stated on X, “Russia is attacking NATO ally Poland… This is an act of war.” He credited NATO for its swift response and called on President Trump to implement “mandatory sanctions that will bankrupt the Russian war machine” while advocating for providing Ukraine with weapons “capable of striking Russia.”
The drones involved were identified as Iranian-made Shahed models, which Russia has used extensively in its war against Ukraine. The breach occurred less than a week after Polish President Andrzej Duda was hosted at the White House by President Donald Trump, a meeting focused on strengthening bilateral security ties.
The invocation of Article 4 is a pivotal moment for the Western alliance, raising the stakes significantly. While it is a call for consultation and not the collective defense mandate of Article 5, it signals a high alert and a unified need to respond to a direct threat against a member state. The world now watches for NATO’s coordinated response and the potential for further escalation.
