NATO Holds Article 4 Talks as Russian Drones Crash Across Poland; White House, EU Step In
Poland has confirmed as many as 19 separate violations of its airspace overnight by Russian drones, triggering NATO’s first-ever coordinated shootdowns over Alliance territory and consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
 |
| Image Source: Ukraine Battle Map on X |
Poland shot down drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine, with the NATO member calling the incursion ‘an act of aggression.’ It marks the first time a member of the alliance has fired shots in the war https://t.co/dMjeNZEzHX pic.twitter.com/nNpWFgxyPT
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 10, 2025
No injuries were reported, but prosecutors are investigating cases in Cześniki, Mniszków, Oleśno, Wohyń, Wyhalew, Wielki Łan, Krzywowierzba-Kolonia, and Zabłocie-Kolonia. Officials confirmed that in one case classes were cancelled at a local school due to debris.
These images from Poland show the aftermath of the Russian drones crossing the border into Poland.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 10, 2025
Several facts already point that their movement, the direction of the drones' flight was not accidental.
It's not enough to acknowledge that the drones were Russian. It's… https://t.co/L9cYGaYYCs pic.twitter.com/TB9ML5BJ2o
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called the incursions “a Russian armed provocation,” noting that Polish, Dutch, Italian, and German forces took part in the overnight operation.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the Alliance responded “quickly and decisively,” while stressing: “We are able to defend every centimeter of NATO territory, including airspace.”
Someone's home in Poland after the russian drone attack last night. pic.twitter.com/YNcwR8N915
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 10, 2025
The White House, according to Reuters, said President Donald Trump was being briefed and could speak with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The U.S. Ambassador to NATO posted that Washington would “defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Today, we have seen a reckless and unprecedented violation of Poland and Europe's airpace by more than 10 Russian Shahed drones.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 10, 2025
Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland.
Europa jest w pełni solidarna z Polską. pic.twitter.com/xXC0fgSdMr
The European Parliament will hold an emergency debate on Thursday in Strasbourg. Leaders across Europe expressed solidarity: French President Emmanuel Macron called the drone incursion “simply unacceptable,” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Poland “can always count on Spain,” and Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the violation showed Moscow had “no plans for peace.”
My thanks and congratulations to the Polish Operational Command and our NATO pilots for shooting down Russian drones over Poland. Actions speak louder than words.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 10, 2025
Moldova also condemned the strike, linking it to its own experience of Russian drone activity.
Informujemy, że zagrożenie dotyczące możliwości naruszeń polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej przez obiekty typu dron wróciło do normy i nie obserwujemy dalszych uderzeń Federacji Rosyjskiej na Ukrainę.
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) September 10, 2025
Sytuacja bezpieczeństwa naszej przestrzeni powietrznej została ustabilizowana, a… pic.twitter.com/8hPVqmY1uQ
British Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that the U.K. is considering options to strengthen NATO air defence over Poland, telling Warsaw: “We will make every effort to ensure the security of your nation.”
https://t.co/tzeYwsGpyH pic.twitter.com/kfyahmYMkq
— SHAPE - NATO Allied Command Operations (@SHAPE_NATO) September 10, 2025
Amid heightened tension, government spokesman Adam Szłapka said Russian disinformation surged “from the very first minutes” of the attack, and warned citizens not to approach drone fragments but to report discoveries to 112 or the nearest police station.
https://t.co/JE2WvMlXTD pic.twitter.com/j3ZZJtqNWm
— SHAPE - NATO Allied Command Operations (@SHAPE_NATO) September 10, 2025
The Polish MFA has summoned a Russian representative to deliver a formal protest note.
Moscow has denied responsibility, with the Russian Defence Ministry insisting its drones could not have reached Poland’s territory.
This is a developing story.
ALSO READ:
NATO on High Alert: Poland Closes Airspace, Puts Defenses on Alert After Reports of Russian Drones
What We Know: Poland Closes Warsaw Airport, Scrambles Jets Amid Reports of Russian Drones
Poland Closes Airspace After Russian Drone Reports as NATO Ally Secures €43.7B EU Defense Boost