The latest escalation in tension between Russia and NATO members took place on the night of September 9 into the early hours of September 10, 2025, when Polish officials confirmed that at least 19 Russian drones breached Poland’s airspace. These drones reportedly originated from Belarus and were detected flying over multiple eastern Polish regions. In response, Poland, with NATO support, scrambled jets—Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s among them—and deployed air defence systems to intercept the incursion. Several drones were shot down, while debris fell in several locations including the Lublin Voivodeship. A residence in the Lublin region sustained damage, though there were no reported injuries. Meanwhile, several Polish airports—Warsaw International, Warsaw Modlin, Rzeszów-Jasionka, and Lublin—were temporarily closed while the incursion was underway.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the event as a “large-scale provocation” and warned that Poland was now “closer to military conflict than at any time since World War II.” In light of the airspace violation, Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO Treaty—calling for consultations with all member states over threats to its territorial integrity.

Russia has denied that it intended to target Polish territory, suggesting that some drones may have lost their way or that the violation was accidental, while maintaining that no planned destruction was directed at Poland. However, these denials have done little to calm alarm in NATO capitals. European leaders, NATO officials, and others have condemned the violation and pledged support to Poland. Germany placed Patriot missile systems on high alert; allied aircraft and air defences mobilised.

President Donald Trump’s public reaction, posted on Truth Social, was much more restrained and cryptic: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!” The comment was seen by some as lacking the stronger condemnations delivered by other NATO and European voices. Still, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker reiterated Washington’s commitment to the alliance, stating that the United States stands with its NATO partners and will defend every inch of NATO territory.

As NATO enters consultations under Article 4, this incident is being seen as a turning point: it is reportedly the first time a NATO member has shot down Russian military drones in its airspace in this conflict. The scale of the incursion, its proximity to major Polish cities and infrastructure, and the involvement of multiple allied systems are raising fears of a broader escalation. With Poland asserting its sovereignty under threat, the international community is watching closely to see how both NATO and Russia respond in the coming hours and days.