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The operation marks the first time a NATO member has fired during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Poland has confirmed that its military shot down multiple suspected Russian drones that entered its airspace during a large-scale Russian strike on Ukraine late Tuesday and early Wednesday. This marks the first time a NATO nation has engaged militarily since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The overnight operation involved Polish F-16 fighter jets, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS surveillance planes, and NATO refueling aircraft. Authorities said 19 drones crossed into Polish territory, with four identified as direct threats and destroyed. Several others crashed, including one that obliterated the roof of a home in Wyryki-Wola, eastern Poland.
Homeowner Tomasz Wesolowski, who was inside at the time, recalled the terrifying moment:
"I was watching the news when I heard a deafening crash. My house is ruined — it has to be demolished," he told Reuters.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed parliament Wednesday, calling the event a "large-scale provocation" and warning it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II." However, he emphasized there was no indication that war with Russia was imminent.
Russia's Defense Ministry denied targeting Poland, claiming its attack focused exclusively on military facilities in western Ukraine. A senior Russian diplomat suggested the drones may have come from Ukraine instead, dismissing Poland's accusations as "groundless."
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, reaffirming U.S. support for NATO allies. Trump also posted on social media: "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!"
European leaders, including those from France, Britain, Germany, and Canada, issued strong condemnations, calling for a unified NATO response.
Tusk confirmed he has activated Article 4 of NATO's treaty, which allows members to request urgent consultations when they feel threatened. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the incident as "reckless behavior" and confirmed an investigation is underway.
Military officials suspect the drone incursion was an attempt by Russia to test NATO's defenses, with some flight paths suggesting a possible strike on Rzeszow Airport, a key hub for Western arms shipments to Ukraine.
