Poland shot down multiple drones that violated its airspace amid a major Russian aerial assault targeting Ukraine. This marks the first time a NATO alliance member has engaged directly in combat during the ongoing conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as “the closest we’ve been to open conflict since World War II” and said he had initiated NATO’s Article 4, signaling a call for immediate consultations with allied nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that several of the drones were Iranian-made Shaheds aimed at Poland, while the EU and NATO condemned the drone incursion as a deliberate provocation.
Polish and NATO aircraft—including F-16s, F-35s, surveillance and refueling planes—were scrambled to intercept threats. The incident also prompted temporary closure of airports in eastern Poland.
