Poland activates NATO Article 4 to consult allies after Russian drone incursion

Polish authorities have recorded and tracked 19 crossings into Polish airspace by Russian drones.

Poland activated Article 4 of the NATO Treaty on Wednesday to allow for consultations with allies hours after its armed forces downed multiple Russian drones that had entered its airspace."The shooting down of drones threatening our security is a success for Polish and NATO forces, which simultaneously changes the political situation," Prime Minister Donald Tusk said."In this regard, allied consultations have taken the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty," he added. His decision was made after consultation with President Karol Nawrocki.Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty provides for the possibility of joint consultations between NATO allies "whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened".Polish armed forces downed multiple Russian drones over the country's territory on Wednesday morning, with the military now brought to its "highest state of readiness".Local police confirmed that debris believed to be from a damaged drone was found in the village of Czosnówka in eastern Poland, close to Poland's border with Belarus.Warsaw's Chopin Airport said it remained open but "there were no flight operations for the time being." Warsaw Modlin, Rzeszów-Jasionka and Lublin airports also suspended flights.Tusk told the Sejm, the country's parliament, that he had already been in contact with multiple leaders, including those who "see the Russian threat clearly": Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic states. He also spoke with NATO chief Mark Rutte.NATO assets were involved in shooting down the Russian drones. It is the first time NATO aircraft have engaged potential threats in allied airspace, the alliance's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).It added that it is "in close contact and coordination with Poland and other allies regarding the drones that entered Polish airspace.""NATO responded quickly and decisively to the situation, demonstrating our capability and resolve to defend allied territory," it added.This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.