This is how Germany writes about the situation in Poland. "Russia can test NATO response"

What does breach of Polish airspace by Russian drones mean for safety in the east of NATO? – German media wonder.


Infringement of Polish airspace by Russia and reaction of Polish and allied air forces is the main subject of news services in Germany this morning (10.09). The media emphasizes that although the Russian invasion of Ukraine has occurred respective times since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Polish air force has shot down Russian flying objects for the first time. The words of Prime Minister Donald Tusk about provocation are quoted.

First time a drone was fired

Germany's media have first analyses of what these events mean for the safety of the east NATO border.

"Why is this an operation about a fresh dimension?" the DPA press agency asks. "So far, Poland has regularly raided its own air force fighters and NATO partners stationed in Poland in consequence to Russian raids on Ukraine. However, this only served to monitor the situation. Air defence preparedness has been introduced for respective days. fresh in the current situation is that flying objects were actually shot down in the airspace over Poland" - DPA points out.

Was it the signal?

He says that it has not been officially stated where the drones came from. "It is only certain that drones flew into Polish airspace at the minute erstwhile Russia carried out massive raids on Ukraine," DPA adds.

And he wonders, "Was there a peculiar threat this time, or did Poland want to signal?". "Operational Command of the Polish Army claims that due to the large number of drones it is an unprecedented event," writes the German agency, citing a message from the Polish army, which stated that "this is an act of aggression that created a real threat to the safety of our citizens".

"However, after the events of the last weeks Poland may have besides wanted to give a clear signal. Already on Tuesday (9.09.) Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish said that the shooting down of drones is 'justified', but a circumstantial decision on this substance must be taken by the army. Poland is further afraid due to the fact that on Friday in neighbouring Belarus Russian-Belarusian military maneuvers Zapad-2025 are to begin" – speculates DPA, reminding that for the duration of maneuvers Poland wants to close the border with Belarus – "for fear of provocations".

Russia can test NATO response

According to the German agency, it is not clear at the minute whether the airspace violations were caused by a method failure. "Also, air defence systems can origin unmanned systems to deviate from the course. However, a large number of drones last night indicate an escalation of the situation on the NATO external border. European NATO troops have been saying for a long time that Russia wants to test NATO's consequence and rise doubts about its readiness to act. The Alliance presently uses Dutch F-35 aircraft and German Eurofighter aircraft and Patriot air defence systems to defend Poland', recalls DPA.

According to the agency, if Poland had asked NATO to support it, it would have been possible to launch the procedure in accordance with Article 4 of the NATO Treaty first. It provides for consultations if the NATO associate State considers that it is threatened from outside. Since the formation of the alliance in 1949, this article has been applied 7 times – last February 24, on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At that time, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia applied.

"For now, it is highly improbable that Poland will ask for military support on the basis of Article 5, besides due to the fact that this would entail a crucial hazard of escalation of the conflict," DPA estimates. Article 5 refers to a commitment to common assistance in the event of an attack on 1 or more members of the Alliance.

Written by Anna Widzyk