Poland Downs Russian Drones in Historic First NATO Military Response

In a development marking a turning point in the Ukraine war, Poland has shot down multiple Russian drones that breached its airspace on Tuesday, September 10, 2025. This is the first time a NATO member state has directly used military force against Russian assets since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

According to Polish officials, at least 19 drones crossed into Poland during a major overnight Russian aerial attack on western Ukraine. Some of the unmanned aircraft reportedly launched from Belarus. Several drones were intercepted and destroyed by Polish forces after they were deemed an immediate threat to national security and civilian safety. NATO fighter jets, including Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s, were scrambled as part of a joint defensive operation, while allied surveillance and refueling aircraft supported the mission.

The incursion triggered widespread disruptions inside Poland. Air raid alerts were sounded in several regions, including Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lublin, urging residents to remain indoors. Two major airports—Warsaw’s Chopin Airport and Lublin Airport—temporarily suspended operations. In Wyryki-Kolonia, a drone or its debris struck a residential building, though no casualties were reported.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland has formally invoked NATO’s Article 4, which requires urgent consultations among alliance members when the security of a member state is threatened. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the alliance’s rapid response as proof of its unity, while emphasizing that the incident will not go unanswered.

The international reaction was swift. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Russia’s actions as “extremely reckless,” while EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, called for tougher sanctions and stronger collective defenses. Lithuania’s foreign minister issued a stark warning that “no one in NATO is safe,” pressing for urgent reinforcement of air defenses in Poland and the Baltic states.

The unprecedented drone strike into NATO territory represents a serious escalation in the conflict, raising fears of broader confrontation between Russia and the Western alliance. For Poland and its allies, the incident is a sharp reminder that the war in Ukraine can spill beyond its borders, making collective defense measures more critical than ever.