Poland has triggered NATO's Article 4 after Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that 19 Russian drones breached Polish airspace during an overnight strike on western Ukraine. The incursion, which prompted airspace closures and military response, marks a potential escalation in regional tensions and has drawn calls for allied consultations.

What to Know:

Tusk said 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace; threats were neutralized by Polish and NATO defenses.

Poland formally invoked NATO's Article 4, citing a threat to national security.

Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport and the surrounding airspace were temporarily shut.

Ukraine and European allies call the incident a significant escalation of Russia's war.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, deferring to Russia's Defense Ministry.

Belarus blamed "electronic warfare" for the drones' deviation; U.S. response still pending.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued his first public response to the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, posting a brief post on Truth Social: "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!"

Follow Newsweek for live updates.

11:48 AM EDT Germany calls Russian drone breach a deliberate provocation

German Defensee Minister Boris Pistorius has condemned the recent Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace as a "targeted provocation" against NATO, stating that the breach was not accidental. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pistorius said there was no evidence to suggest the drones veered off course unintentionally, and described the incident as a deliberate act.

While acknowledging the violation as an "attack" on Polish territory, Pistorius clarified that it did not meet the threshold for triggering NATO's Article 5, which requires a military assault resulting in destruction or casualties. "As far as we know, nothing was destroyed and no one was harmed," he said.

Pistorius emphasized NATO's unified stance and measured approach, stating, "We are focusing on strength and unity but will not let ourselves be provoked." His remarks come as Poland invokes Article 4 to initiate consultations among NATO allies, following what officials have called the most serious airspace breach since the start of Russia's war on Ukraine.

11:27 AM EDT Trump reacts to Russian drone breach over Poland

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued his first public response to the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, posting a brief message on Truth Social: "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!"

11:26 AM EDT Russia and Poland trade accusations over drone incursion

Tensions between Moscow and Warsaw escalated further on Wednesday as the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Poland of fabricating claims about the recent drone breach, calling them "myths" designed to inflame the Ukrainian conflict. In a statement, Russia reiterated that its military operation did not target Polish territory and dismissed allegations of deliberate airspace violations.

The ministry also criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, claiming he failed to provide evidence of a planned attack during alliance consultations. The remarks come amid growing scrutiny of Russia's drone activity near NATO borders.

Polish minister Tomasz Siemoniak responded sharply, accusing Moscow of orchestrating a "massive disinformation campaign" and attempting to "slander Poland." He emphasized that the drone incursion was real and serious, and pointed to NATO's unified condemnation as validation.

11:13 AM EDT Russia issues fresh response to Poland over drone attack

The Russian embassy in Poland dismissed Warsaw's accusations that Russian drones had violated Polish airspace.

Poland, a NATO ally, said 19 Russian drones crossed into its territory amid an attack on western Ukraine and that some had to be shot down.

It triggered NATO's Article 4 mechanism in response, which formally alerts fellow allies to a significant threat and starts a consultation on how to respond.

"The Polish side once again failed to present evidence of the Russian origin of the objects that entered Polish airspace (and there is no reason to expect that it will), and completely groundlessly accused Russia of provocative actions," the Russian embassy told Newsweek in a statement.

Read the full story by Shane Croucher on Newsweek.

10:55 AM EDT Canada condemns Russian drone incursion

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has strongly condemned Russia's overnight drone incursion into Polish airspace, calling the move "reckless and escalatory." In a statement shared Wednesday, Carney reaffirmed Canada's commitment to NATO and its solidarity with Poland amid rising tensions on the alliance's eastern flank.

"Canada stands with Poland and our NATO Allies," Carney said, adding that Ottawa is closely coordinating with partners and remains vigilant against Russia's efforts to expand the conflict. He accused President Vladimir Putin of showing "total disregard for the path of peace," citing a week of intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Russia’s incursion into Polish airspace last night was reckless and escalatory.

Canada stands with Poland and our NATO Allies. We are closely coordinating with them, and we will remain vigilant against Russia’s attempts to widen and prolong the conflict with Ukraine.

Putin is…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) September 10, 2025

10:39 AM EDT Tusk to hold urgent talks with NATO and EU leaders after drone breach

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to speak with key European and NATO leaders today following Russia's overnight drone incursion into Polish airspace.

According to his spokesperson, Tusk will hold separate calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

10:38 AM EDT Drone debris found in eastern Poland as residents stay calm

Polish investigators have confirmed the recovery of debris from seven drones that violated national airspace during Russia's overnight assault on Ukraine. The latest wreckage was located on Wednesday afternoon in the village of Wielki Łan, near the Ukrainian border. Officials say the drone crash caused no injuries or property damage.

The incident is part of a broader breach involving 19 drones, prompting Poland to invoke NATO's Article 4 and initiate allied consultations. Despite the scale of the intrusion, local officials report that residents remain composed.

"Recently, this has become the norm," said Andrzej Ćwirta, secretary of the regional commune. "Sounds of impacts and explosions have been heard in some parts of the commune. We're not seeing panic among residents; they're taking it all in stride."

10:20 AM EDT European defense officials meet in London as NATO airspace tensions rise

UK Defence Minister John Healey convened a high-level meeting in London with officials from the European Group of Five (E5)—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK—alongside Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, amid growing alarm over Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace.

The talks followed an overnight incident in which at least three Russian drones were intercepted by NATO and Polish aircraft over Polish territory. French official Alice Rufo condemned the breach as "totally unacceptable," while Polish policy director Marcin Kazmierski called for concrete solidarity, stressing the need for NATO to prepare for future threats with actionable support.

Germany's Jens Plötner echoed the urgency, stating that NATO must "strengthen even further" its airspace defense across the eastern flank. He confirmed that Germany's two Patriot missile systems are already fully integrated into the region's defense network.

10:07 AM EDT Trump to speak with Polish president

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a call later today with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a close political ally, The White House says.

10:05 AM EDT Poland urges NATO and EU unity after drone breach

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has condemned the recent Russian drone incursion as an "unprecedented" attack on Poland, NATO, and the European Union. Speaking in Warsaw, Sikorski confirmed that the Russian charge d'affaires was summoned to receive a formal protest note, though the diplomat refused to acknowledge the drones as Russian.

Sikorski cited past incidents of Russian drones and cruise missiles entering Polish airspace, including one that landed just 10 kilometers from his home. He emphasized that while isolated breaches might be attributed to technical errors, the scale of this latest incident—19 separate violations—rules out accidental causes.

He added: "We have invoked Article Four.

"Take a look at precedents, at what happened when other Allies did that, when Turkey did it, when she felt endangered by events in the air during the Syrian civil war, additional Patriot missiles were sent to Turkey.

"We need to create what Ursula von Lehn called today in the European Parliament at her annual State of the Union address: a drone wall.

"This is a threat, not only to Poland.

"This new technology of the mass use of drones is a threat to all of the EU and Nato, and we need to face it together."

09:50 AM EDT UK weighs air defense support for Poland amid drone tensions

British Defence Secretary John Healey has signaled that the UK may expand its role in NATO's air defense mission over Poland, following the recent Russian drone incursion that prompted Warsaw to invoke Article 4. While Healey stopped short of announcing concrete measures, he confirmed that the UK armed forces have been tasked with exploring options to reinforce NATO's posture in the region.

Healey noted that the UK previously contributed six Typhoon jets and 200 personnel to NATO's air policing mission over Poland, which concluded just six weeks ago. Currently, 300 British troops remain stationed in Poland, supporting both NATO deterrence and Polish defense efforts.

"We will do what we can as part of NATO, as part of a collective response that Poland has asked for," Healey said, hinting at a possible return of RAF assets to the region.

09:37 AM EDT U.S. reaffirms NATO solidarity after Polish airspace breach

Following the overnight incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, the United States has reiterated its commitment to NATO's collective defense. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitacker issued a statement on social media, writing: "We stand by our NATO Allies in the face of these airspace violations and will defend every inch of NATO territory."

09:24 AM EDT IN PICTURES: Poland reports it intercepted Russian drones that breached its airspace amid overnight strikes targeting Ukraine Firefighters secure parts of a damaged UAV shot down by Polish authorities, at a site in Czosnówka near Biala Podlaska, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/) Firefighters secure parts of a damaged UAV shot down by Polish authorities, at a site in Czosnówka near Biala Podlaska, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/) Piotr Pyrkosz/AP Photo This image made from video shows airplanes parked at Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. This image made from video shows airplanes parked at Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. AP Photo 09:10 AM EDT Are there US troops in Poland? What we know

Poland has significantly deepened its defense partnership with the United States, marking a new phase in NATO's eastern flank strategy. As outlined by the Polish Ministry of National Defence, the U.S. now maintains a permanent military presence in the country, including the establishment of the U.S. Army Garrison Poland—the first of its kind on Polish soil.

Key installations include the V Corps Forward Command in Poznań, a missile defense base in Redzikowo, and a long-term equipment storage complex in Powidz. These facilities support a rotational force of roughly 10,000 U.S. troops, including armored and aviation brigades, logistics units, and reconnaissance elements.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2020, laid the groundwork for this expansion, aiming to bolster interoperability, rapid deployment capabilities, and joint training. The move comes amid heightened security concerns following Russia's aggression in Ukraine and drone incursions into Polish airspace.

Polish officials say the expanded U.S. presence reinforces NATO's deterrence posture and ensures swift response capacity in the event of regional escalation.

08:57 AM EDT What is Article 4 of NATO?

Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty allows any NATO member to call for consultations when it believes its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is under threat. Unlike Article 5, which commits the alliance to collective defense, Article 4 initiates a political dialogue among member states within the North Atlantic Council.

Since NATO's founding in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked only a handful of times, typically in response to regional instability or direct threats. Poland's recent invocation follows the incursion of Russian drones into its airspace, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk described as the country's closest brush with armed conflict since World War II.

The consultations triggered by Article 4 can lead to coordinated responses, increased military readiness, or diplomatic pressure, but do not automatically result in military action.

08:44 AM EDT WATCH: Europe must keep its military promises to Trump—Poland's deputy prime minister .videoc {position: relative;padding-bottom: 56.25%} .player > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;width: 100%;height: 100%;overflow:hidden;} 08:29 AM EDT Russia denies targeting Poland in overnight drone strike

The Russian Ministry of Defense has issued a statement denying any intention to strike targets within Polish territory during its overnight military operation against Ukraine. According to the ministry, the attack involved long-range, high-precision weapons and strike drones aimed at Ukrainian defense industry facilities in multiple regions, including Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The statement stressed that "no targets on the territory of Poland were planned," and claimed all designated Ukrainian sites were successfully hit. Russian officials also noted the maximum range of the drones used does not exceed 700 kilometers, suggesting they could not have reached deep into Polish territory.

Despite the denial, Russia expressed willingness to hold consultations with Poland's Ministry of Defense regarding the incident, which has triggered NATO consultations and heightened regional tensions.

08:17 AM EDT Germany: Russian drones deliberately violated Polish airspace German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius addresses delegates during a question time at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on September 10, 2025. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius addresses delegates during a question time at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin on September 10, 2025. Johnn Macdougall/Getty Images

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has dismissed claims that Russian drones entered Polish airspace by accident, asserting in a Bundestag address that the flight paths were intentional and part of a broader pattern of provocation.

"There are definitely no grounds to assume that this was due to course correction errors," Pistorius said. "These drones were quite obviously deliberately directed on this course—in order to fly into Ukraine."

His remarks directly contradict Belarusian explanations that the drones veered off course due to electronic warfare interference, such as GPS jamming. Pistorius framed the incident as part of a sustained campaign of hybrid threats from Russia, citing repeated provocations in Baltic airspace, maritime zones, and now Central Europe.

Germany is backing Poland's invocation of NATO's Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations among member states. Pistorius emphasized the need for unity and deterrence: "We support this approach because we believe it is the right one. Signals must be sent here."

08:04 AM EDT A look at drone wreckage A drone wreckage was discovered in the eastern Polish village of Wyryki-Wola. A drone wreckage was discovered in the eastern Polish village of Wyryki-Wola. lublin24.pl 07:52 AM EDT Catch-up: Poland scrambles defenses after Russian drone incursion

If you're just tuning in, it's been a fast-moving morning following a dramatic escalation on NATO's eastern flank. Overnight, Poland activated its air defense systems to intercept Russian drones that crossed into its airspace during a broader assault on western Ukraine.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as Poland's closest brush with armed conflict since World War II. He confirmed that 19 drones breached Polish territory, prompting the government to invoke NATO's Article 4—a move that initiates emergency consultations among member states.

The fallout has been significant: eight million residents were urged to shelter, and authorities have recovered seven drones along with debris from an unidentified projectile. Damage to civilian property has been reported, though no injuries so far.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the true number of drones may be higher, calling the incident a "dangerous precedent" for Europe. Meanwhile, Moscow has remained silent, with one senior Russian diplomat dismissing the accusations as "groundless."

European leaders have condemned the incursion as unacceptable, and NATO consultations are now underway. Stay tuned as the alliance weighs its next steps.

07:40 AM EDT Drone disruption triggers flight chaos at Warsaw Chopin Airport

Flight operations at Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland's largest air hub, were severely disrupted early Wednesday following a Russian drone incursion that prompted temporary airspace closures. Arrivals from cities including Gran Canaria, Tokyo, and Paris were diverted to alternate airports across Poland and Europe.

Although the airport has since reopened, delays continue to ripple through the schedule. A Wizz Air flight from Copenhagen, initially expected to arrive at 10:10 a.m. local time, is now scheduled to land nearly two hours late. Departures are similarly affected, with widespread delays and a handful of cancellations impacting carriers such as LOT, Wizz Air, and Ryanair.

Airlines warn that the disruption could cascade throughout the day, affecting connections and aircraft rotations across Europe.

07:26 AM EDT UK condemns Russian drone incursion into Poland

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced Russia's overnight drone attack on Poland, calling it "unprecedented" and "deeply concerning." Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer confirmed direct communication with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and reaffirmed the UK's commitment to NATO solidarity and support for Ukraine.

The incursion, which saw multiple drones breach Polish airspace during a broader Russian assault on western Ukraine, prompted Poland to invoke NATO's Article 4, initiating emergency consultations among member states. Starmer emphasized the UK's role in the "coalition of the willing" and vowed continued pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin until a "just and lasting peace" is achieved.

07:11 AM EDT Russia deflects as Poland responds to drone breach

The Kremlin has declined to address reports of Russian drones entering Polish airspace, with presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referring all inquiries to the Ministry of Defense, per TASS. At a briefing, Peskov said the matter was outside the presidential administration's purview and declined to speculate on whether the incident constituted a provocation.

Poland's military reported shooting down multiple unidentified aerial vehicles (UAVs) early on September 10, following what officials described as a violation of national airspace. The breach prompted temporary airspace closures, including over Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport. It triggered a formal request to NATO to invoke Article 4—initiating consultations among member states in response to perceived threats to territorial integrity.

06:57 AM EDT Russia-Ukraine war map shows control of territory

Newsweek's John Feng put together this map showing the current control of territory in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

06:53 AM EDT Belarus blames "electronic warfare" for drones going astray

Belarus, one of Russia's closest allies, which borders Ukraine and Poland, said drones fired by both sides in the conflict had been impacted by "electronic warfare" that caused them to go astray from their intended paths.

It also said Belarus had destroyed wayward drones over its territory.

Major General Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in Belarus, shared a statement on Telegram.

"During the night-time exchange of strikes by UAVs between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the Air Defence Forces and assets of the Republic of Belarus on duty continuously tracked UAVs that had lost their track as a result of the impact of the parties' electronic warfare assets," Muraveiko said.

"Some of the lost drones were destroyed by our country's Air Defence Forces over the territory of the republic."

Muraveiko said Belarus had exchanged information with Poland and Lithuania overnight as it detected the "approach of unknown aircraft to their countries' territory."

"This allowed the Polish side to respond promptly to the actions of the drones by scrambling their forces on duty," Muraveiko said.

"In fairness, it should be noted that the Polish side also informed the Belarusian forces on duty about the approach of unidentified aircraft from the territory of Ukraine to the border of the Republic of Belarus.

"The exchange of information on the air situation is an important component of ensuring security in the region as a whole and contributes to building confidence and strengthening security.

"The Republic of Belarus will continue to fulfil its obligations within the framework of the exchange of information on the air situation with the Republic of Poland and the Baltic countries."

06:37 AM EDT EU's Kallas: "Russia's war is escalating, not ending."

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, warned that Russia is escalating its war in Ukraine—and she said Moscow's violation of Polish airspace was "intentional".

"Last night in Poland, we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental," Kallas said in a statement posted to social media.

Kallas said she was in contact with NATO's Secretary General and the Polish foreign minister.

"The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. Russia's war is escalating, not ending," Kallas said.

"We must raise the cost to Moscow, strengthen support for Ukraine, and invest in Europe's defence. The EU plays a major role and we will support initiatives like the Eastern Border Shield defence line."

06:22 AM EDT NATO makes clear this was a multi-ally response to Russia 06:20 AM EDT UK's Keir Starmer blasts "extremely reckless move by Russia"

U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the Russian drone incident in Poland "deeply concerning" in a statement shared widely by the British media.

Britain is a staunch ally of Kyiv and is one of the major powers in the "Coalition of the Willing" that has said it would put troops in Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force once the war ends to deter Russian aggression in the future.

"This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin's blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day," Starmer said.

Starmer said he had spoken with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk "to make clear our support for Poland".

"My sincere thanks go to the NATO and Polish forces who rapidly responded to protect the Alliance," Starmer said.

"With our partners—and through our leadership of the coalition of the willing—we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace."

06:13 AM EDT Trump's reaction to Russian violation may be pivotal

U.S. President Donald Trump has for months sought to engage Russia through diplomatic means to broker a peaceful and to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

But, despite a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and assurances from Moscow that it also desires peace, Russia has intensified its invasion of Ukraine, frustrating Trump.

Trump has signaled that he is moving forward with deeper sanctions and secondary tariffs against Russia's trading partners after threatening tougher action. He also wants Europe to toughen its sanctions and tariffs.

The serious Russian violation of Polish airspace—and the threat it posed to a NATO ally, which the U.S. is treaty-bound to defend—could prove the turning point in Trump's tactics on getting Russia to make peace.

Will Trump use this moment to follow through on his threats of punishing sanctions and tariffs to force Moscow to make peace?

06:06 AM EDT Hungary's Viktor Orban rallies behind Poland

Hungary has been at odds with most of its NATO and European Union allies over the war in Ukraine, and has courted friendlier relations with Russia.

But Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a political ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has rallied behind Poland over the Russian drone attack.

"Hungary stands in full solidarity with Poland following the recent drone incident," Orban posted to X.

"The violation of Poland's territorial integrity is unacceptable. The incident proves that our policy of calling for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war is reasonable and rational.

"Living in the shadow of a war is fraught with risks and dangers. It's time to make it stop! To this end, we support the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump aimed at achieving peace."

06:04 AM EDT Zelensky believes more Russian drones entered Polish airspace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his air force believes more drones violated Polish airspace than is presently known.

"In total, at least several dozen Russian drones were moving along the border of Ukraine and Belarus and across western regions of Ukraine, approaching targets on Ukrainian territory and, apparently, on Polish territory," Zelenksy said.

"The number of Russian drones that traversed into Poland and penetrated deeply into its territory may be greater than the previously announced figure.

"According to updated data, around two dozen of Russian drones may have entered Polish airspace during the night. We are verifying this."

Another report from the Commander of our Air Force. We are clarifying all available data and analyzing the details of this Russian strike.

Already during the night, Ukrainian forces were informing the Polish side through the relevant channels about the movement of Russian…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 10, 2025