Russian drones violated Polish airspace overnight Tuesday, prompting NATO fighters to shoot them down in the first combat engagement between the alliance and Russia since Ukraine's invasion began. Poland invoked Article 4 for urgent security consultations, marking only the eighth time in NATO's 75-year history that members have triggered the clause for emergency discussions.
The incident brought the alliance dangerously close to direct war with Russia. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned his country was closer to open conflict than at any time since the Second World War, while UK Defence Secretary John Healey said NATO had entered a "new era" of threat.
Up to 19 drone violations were detected during a seven-hour period, with fragments found 554 kilometres into Polish territory according to The Independent - the deepest Russian incursion to date. The Daily Mail reports that five drones were on a direct flight path to a NATO base used to supply Ukraine, suggesting deliberate targeting of alliance infrastructure.
Behind closed doors
The rare Article 4 meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels followed strict diplomatic protocols, according to Sean Corbett, former Deputy Military Representative to NATO. Delegations arrived as headquarters became "a flurry of activity" with draft communiqués circulated beforehand to drive the process-focused discussions.
The key question facing ambassadors was whether the drone incursions were deliberate, Corbett explained. "The number of drones involved, and the fact they got shot down, and how far they're in does suggest very much it was deliberate," he said. "That would be a violation of a NATO member's airspace, and that's pretty significant stuff."
Representatives sat around a table with buzzers to speak, likely with Poland opening the floor first. Even typically reluctant members like Hungary denounced Russia's "reckless behaviour," demonstrating unusual alliance unity on the gravity of the situation.
US leadership response
All eyes focused on America's position under Donald Trump's returning administration. Trump posted on social media: "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!" before speaking with Polish President Karol Nawrocki about maintaining "allied unity."
The response highlighted uncertainty about US commitment, with former NATO officials noting Trump might view this as "European business" or compromise his planned Putin diplomacy. The Independent notes the cost disparity - NATO spent millions on fighter jet responses against drones worth tens of thousands.
Military preparations
UK armed forces already in Poland stand ready to reinforce Polish troops along the Belarus border, senior NATO sources confirm. Around 40,000 Polish troops have deployed to the eastern flank as Russia conducts "Zapad" war games with Belarus from Friday.
The UK military is presenting options to bolster Polish air defence, potentially including returning six Typhoon jets that left six weeks ago. Germany and France are making similar military assessments as the alliance prepares for potential escalation.
Alliance tested
NATO members issued a joint statement denouncing Russia's actions and pledging to "closely monitor" the situation, but stopped short of concrete military responses. The diplomatic approach suggests the alliance has stepped back from the brink of war while maintaining unity.
Russia claimed it did not plan to hit Polish targets, noting the drones had an operational range of only 700 kilometres. However, NATO officials said they would draw their own conclusions after completing full investigations into the unprecedented violations.
Sources used: "The i", "Daily Mail", "Independent", "Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
