Poland invokes NATO Article 4 after Russian drones breach

Poland has activated Article 4 of NATO treaty after downing 19 Russian drones that violated Polish airspace in the unprecedented act of aggression.

As per Article 4, Poland is entitled to hold consultation with other NATO allies to tackle the worsening security conditions in the country.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk dubbed the incursion as a “large-scale provocation.”

“"The shooting down of drones threatening our security is a success for Polish and NATO forces, which simultaneously changes the political situation," Donald Tusk continued.

"In this regard, allied consultations have taken the form of a formal request to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty," he added.

The decision to invoke Article 4 was taken after thorough consultation with President Karol Nawrocki.

According to Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, the member states of NATO can hold mutual consultations in the case of any danger to political independence, security of a state and territorial integrity.

As reported by the Reuters, NATO has considered the unfortunate incident not as a blatant attack but as intentional incursion in the sovereign nation.

Russian drone incursion in Polish airspace on Wednesday has prompted a strong military response.

According to Reuters, Dutch F-35s, Polish F-16 fighter jets, , Italian AWACS surveillance planes jointly operated by NATO were involved in the overnight operation to counter drones.

After the attack, all the NATO members have expressed solidarity with Poland.