Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the Polish parliament on 10/9, stating that Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had violated Polish airspace at least 19 times, mostly originating from Belarus. Polish air defense forces shot down at least 4 UAVs, the latest around 6:45 a.m. that day.
"These UAVs pose a threat to our national security. The Polish military and NATO forces have successfully neutralized them, but this development also alters the political landscape. Therefore, Poland has consulted with its allies, requesting the activation of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty," Tusk declared.
Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty stipulates that NATO member states have the right to request consultations whenever "the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened".
 |
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk chairs an emergency meeting with military and cabinet leaders on 10/9. Photo: AFP |
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk chairs an emergency meeting with military and cabinet leaders on 10/9. Photo: AFP
The Polish Prime Minister said he is communicating with several leaders in the region, particularly those who share the sentiment of "feeling clearly threatened by Russia": Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. He also discussed the security situation on NATO's eastern flank with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Tusk called the incident a "large-scale provocation" by Russia and expressed concern that Poland is "closer to armed conflict than at any time since World War II." He dismissed speculation that the country is in a state of war due to these incursions.
The Polish military previously reported the repeated airspace violations. They then deployed both Polish and NATO air defense assets in response, shooting down several UAVs over Polish territory and placing the military on "highest alert."
A NATO spokesperson confirmed this is the thu nhat time alliance aircraft have been deployed against targets over a member state's airspace. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) stated that NATO "has reacted swiftly and decisively, demonstrating its capability and resolve to defend allied territory."
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the accusations from the Polish government and military.
 |
Locations of Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. Graphic: FT |
Locations of Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. Graphic: FT
Following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, missiles from both Moscow and Kyiv have strayed into Polish airspace on several occasions. Most were Russian cruise missiles launched toward western Ukraine, typically traversing Polish airspace briefly en route to their targets.
The most serious incident occurred in 11/2022 when a Ukrainian S-300 air defense missile crossed the border and landed in a Polish village, killing two people. Poland subsequently activated its air defense systems and deployed fighter jets more frequently.
On 18/8, a suspected Russian UAV entered Poland and crashed in a cornfield about 100 km from the Ukrainian border. The explosion caused no casualties but shattered windows in nearby houses. The Polish Defense Minister admitted their air defenses failed to detect the aircraft, despite being on high alert.
Thanh Danh (Reuters, Euro News, TASS, TVP)
