Moscow Denies Targeting Poland After NATO Invokes Article 4 Over Drone Incursion
Russia rejected accusations of deliberate provocation after drones entered Polish airspace overnight, prompting Warsaw to request consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Polish government spokesman Adam Szłapka told Polsat TV that “NATO has invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty,” confirming that allies held consultations at Warsaw’s request.
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🇩🇪Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on the airspace violation over Poland:
— Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) September 10, 2025
"We stand firmly together as Allies. We rely on strength and unity, but we do not allow ourselves to be provoked." pic.twitter.com/Yjpmm20iza
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command reported on 10 September that “several objects identified as drones” had been destroyed after entering Poland’s airspace.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said 19 violations were recorded between 11:30 p.m. on 9 September and 6:30 a.m. on 10 September, with three drones shot down.
Tusk called the incident “a large-scale provocation,” stressing that “this was the first time Russian drones were downed over a NATO country.”
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
Russia dismissed those claims. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said its forces struck Ukrainian military-industrial sites in Ivano-Frankovsk, Khmelnitsky, Zhitomir, Vinnitsia and Lvov, but “no targets in Poland were planned.”
It added that the maximum range of its UAVs “does not exceed 700 km.” The ministry said it was “ready to consult with the Polish Defense Ministry on this matter.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment directly on drones in Polish airspace, referring questions to the Defense Ministry.
He said the Kremlin had not received any requests from Warsaw for contacts and added that “EU and NATO accusations about alleged Russian provocations occur on a daily basis.”
NATO Allies stand in solidarity with Poland & denounce Russia’s reckless behaviour after the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. Allies are resolved to defend every inch of Allied territory. We'll closely monitor the situation, our air defences continually at the… pic.twitter.com/95ETFO5P5N
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) September 10, 2025
Polish prosecutors reported drone debris in several locations, including Wyryki-Wola, where the roof of a residential building was damaged, though no casualties occurred, according to Polsat TV.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zamość confirmed another drone crashed in a village cemetery 40 km from Ukraine’s border.
Poland closed part of its airspace, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, during the operation. Energy Minister Milosz Motyka confirmed no energy facilities were hit.
NATO said air defenses were activated. According to Reuters, Polish F-16s, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS planes, and NATO refueling aircraft took part in the response.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed “air defenses had been activated in Poland to counter unmanned aerial vehicles” but did not specify their origin.
🇵🇱 #Poland invoked #NATO Article 4 for urgent talks after multiple drones entered its airspace overnight during strikes on western #Ukraine 🇺🇦, marking the first time 🇷🇺 #Russian drones have been downed over the country.
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) September 10, 2025
Watch the video for more👇 pic.twitter.com/tkyUCElLcr
Belarus meanwhile claimed its own air defenses tracked and downed drones overnight and said it notified Poland and Lithuania of unidentified aerial vehicles approaching from Ukraine.
Chief of the Belarusian General Staff Pavel Muraveiko added that Poland had also notified Minsk of incoming UAVs.