NATO Shoots Down Drones Over Poland

NATO fighter jets shot down Russian drones that entered deep into Polish airspace.

President Trump's efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine have apparently stalled following an August summit with President Putin. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Ukraine, launching on Sunday what Ukrainian authorities called the largest drone assault of the war. The escalation comes despite various ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including 26 European nations recently pledging peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.

Polish authorities detected 19 airspace violations overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning, with Poland's prime minister saying a "significant" number originated from Belarusian territory.

The incursion forced Poland – a NATO member – to temporarily close its airspace, including Warsaw's main international airport, and authorities ordered residents in eastern regions to stay indoors. Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the drones, while German Patriot missile systems went on alert, and an Italian surveillance aircraft provided support.

Poland invoked Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, triggering formal consultations among alliance members when one feels threatened. NATO's secretary general condemned what he called Russia's behavior, stating, "Whether it was intentional or not, it is absolutely reckless." NATO held emergency discussions on Wednesday, with members expressing support for Poland and denouncing the incursion as a dangerous provocation. Trump spoke with Poland's president on Wednesday afternoon, and wrote, "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!" on his TruthSocial.

Russia's defense ministry denied targeting Polish territory, claiming its forces only struck Ukrainian defense facilities and offering to hold consultations with Poland. Belarus suggested the drones veered off course due to electronic warfare jamming. European leaders rejected these explanations, with the EU foreign policy chief saying, "Indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental." Ukrainian President Zelensky reported that Russia launched approximately 415 drones and 40 missiles against Ukraine on Tuesday night, calling the Polish incursion proof that "Putin's sense of impunity keeps growing."