Poland to invoke NATO Article 4 after 19 Russian drone incursions overnight

Poland will formally request the invocation of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty after 19 Russian drones violated its airspace during overnight strikes on Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk told lawmakers in a dramatic speech to the Sejm.

Tusk called the incident “an act of aggression” and warned that the conflict was “not just a war for Ukrainians, but a confrontation that Russia has declared on the entire world.”

Defensive action taken

In a communique issued on September 10, 2025, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces described the incident as an “unprecedented violation.”

Polish and allied forces tracked dozens of airborne objects on radar. Defensive procedures were launched immediately, and those deemed potential threats were neutralized.

“Some drones that penetrated our airspace were shot down,” the communique said. “Efforts are underway to locate possible crash or impact sites. […] This is an act of aggression that has created a real threat to the security of our citizens.”

The military emphasized that Polish and NATO forces remain on heightened alert, fully prepared for further operations.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X that combat aircraft had used live weapons against hostile objects. The minister confirmed that the President and Prime Minister had been briefed, and that all state services were engaged in the response.

“If you find fragments of these objects, do not approach them, but inform the police,” Kosiniak-Kamysz cautioned, adding that Poland was in constant contact with NATO command.

September 10, 2025, 11:54 (UTC +3)

Poland to request NATO Article 4 after mass airspace violations

In an address to the Sejm, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland will formally request the invocation of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows allies to convene urgent consultations when a member’s territorial integrity or security is under threat.

“This is not our war. This is not just a war for Ukrainians. This is a confrontation that Russia has declared on the entire world,” Tusk said.

The prime minister detailed the scope of the overnight response, conducted under Operation Eastern Aurora. At 22:06, Polish forces received word of Russia’s massive air assault on Ukraine. In response, early warning systems and combat aircraft were activated, including Saab and NATO AWACS surveillance planes, Polish F-35s, F-16s, Mi-24 and Mi-17 helicopters, and Black Hawks.

The operation lasted through the night, with the first airspace violations recorded at 23:30. and the last at 06:30. According to preliminary figures, 19 separate airspace violations were confirmed.

September 10, 2025, 11:34 (UTC +3)

Belarus claims to have downed drones that strayed during strikes

Belarus said its air defense forces shot down several drones that had strayed into its territory overnight, allegedly as a result of electronic jamming during the exchange of Russian and Ukrainian strikes.

Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces, stated that the drones were continuously tracked before being destroyed. He did not specify whether they were Russian or Ukrainian.

Muraveiko added that Poland and Lithuania were informed of the drones’ approach, which he claimed allowed Warsaw to scramble its forces in response.

September 10, 2025, 11:03 (UTC +3)

Polish MP shares photos of downed Russian drone

Polish MP Dariusz Stefaniuk shared images on his Facebook page showing the wreckage of a downed drone. The photos indicate it was a Russian decoy drone marked ЫЫ32384, which reportedly crashed in a field near Czosnówka in eastern Poland.

The Gerbera drone was originally developed as a decoy, intended to overwhelm and saturate enemy air defenses. Over time, however, it has also been adapted as a loitering munition. Several Gerbera drones recovered in recent years were found to be carrying explosive payloads.

September 10, 2025, 10:13 (UTC +3)

Drone debris damages residential building in eastern Poland

Polish media Polsat News reported that debris from a Russian drone struck a residential property in the village of Wyryki Wola, in Włodawa County, Lublin Voivodeship. The impact damaged the roof of the house and a car parked nearby, though no one was injured.

Deputy Inspector Andrzej Fijołek of the Lublin Provincial Police confirmed the incident to Polsat News, while local mayor Mariusz Zańko said residents had heard an explosion and observed Polish fighter jets overhead.

“The situation is quite difficult and worrying; there is indeed great concern among residents,” Zańko said, adding that officials are on site to assess the damage.

Poseł Dariusz Stefaniuk opublikował zdjęcia uszkodzonego domu wskutek uderzenia drona/szczątek. Miejscowość Wyryki-Wola (woj. lubelskie). pic.twitter.com/bfGObA1Zje— Łukasz Bok (@LukaszBok) September 10, 2025

Warsaw airspace temporarily closed

Amid the unfolding situation, authorities also confirmed the temporary closure of airspace over part of the country, including Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW).

The airport itself remained open, but flight operations were suspended. Passengers have been urged to follow government announcements and airline updates for further guidance.

Russia launches 458 drones and missiles

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a barrage of 458 drones and missiles overnight between September 9 and 10, 2025. The attack included 415 Shahed- and Gerbera-type drones, 42 cruise missiles (Kh-101, Kalibr, and Kh-59), and a single Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missile.

By the morning, Ukrainian air defenses had downed 386 drones and 27 cruise missiles, though 16 missiles and 21 drones hit targets at 17 sites across the country.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, at least eight drones crossed the border into Poland, triggering defensive action by Polish and NATO forces.

September 10, 2025, 10:39 (UTC +3)

Prime Minister calls incident a “large-scale provocation”

Speaking at an extraordinary meeting at the Chancellery in Warsaw on September 10, 2025, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that a “significant number” of Russian drones had violated Polish airspace overnight. He described the event as a likely “large-scale provocation” by Russia.

“The threat has been eliminated. We have not recorded any casualties. The search for the remains of the downed drones continues. We are gradually reopening the airports,” Tusk said. “The threat has been eliminated thanks to the decisive action of our commanders, our soldiers, our pilots and also our allies.”

The prime minister stressed that this was “the first time that Russian drones have been shot down over the territory of a NATO country,” adding that Poland’s allies were taking the situation very seriously. He confirmed the government remained in close contact with NATO leadership.

Macron condemns Russian drone incursion into Poland

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violation of Polish airspace during Russia’s overnight strikes on Ukraine, calling the incident “simply unacceptable.”

“I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I call on Russia to put an end to this headlong rush. I reiterate our full solidarity with the Polish people and their government,” Macron said.

The French president added that he would soon speak with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, stressing, “We will not compromise on the security of Allies.”

Previous incursions into NATO airspace

This incident is the latest in a troubling series of airspace violations linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine:

On September 6 and 8, 2025, two drones entered Polish airspace and crashed in Lublin Voivodeship.

On the night of September 2 to 3, 2025, two drones briefly crossed into Polish airspace, prompting Dutch F-35s on NATO duty to scramble.

On August 20, 2025, a Russian “Geran-2” drone crashed and exploded in eastern Poland’s Osiny village.

In December 2022, a missile struck the Polish town of Przewodów, killing two civilians. Later incidents included a Russian missile crossing into Poland in December 2023 and another brief violation in March 2024.

In July 2025, two Gerbera-type drones entered Lithuania, with one containing explosive overflying Vilnius before crashing.

NATO members Romania and Croatia have also reported multiple drone and missile incursions since 2022.
These events underline the escalating risks for NATO members bordering Ukraine, with Poland now confirming that it has directly intercepted drones over its territory. This is the first time a NATO member has done so since the start of the conflict.The post Poland to invoke NATO Article 4 after 19 Russian drone incursions overnight appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source