The Kremlin has declared that NATO is effectively at war with Russia following the downing of multiple Russian drones over Poland last week. The incident took place on September 9, 2025, when 19 to 23 drones allegedly launched from Russia entered Polish airspace. Polish and NATO forces scrambled to intercept the drones, shooting down at least eight, with many intercepted by Dutch F-35 aircraft.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the drone incursion as a “large-scale provocation” and a direct threat to national and NATO security. This marked the first time Poland, a NATO member, engaged Russian assets in its airspace since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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The airspace above several Polish airports, including Warsaw and Lublin, was temporarily closed during the incursion. Poland subsequently invoked NATO’s Article 4, which calls for consultations among NATO members if a party’s territorial integrity or security is threatened.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence denied targeting Polish territory, stating that all strike objectives were within Ukraine and that drones’ maximum flight range did not exceed 700 km. Shortly afterward, Russian and Belarusian forces began joint military exercises.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated with certainty that NATO is “fighting against Russia” by providing direct and indirect support to Ukraine, which remains outside NATO but receives military aid from its member countries.
The incident heightens tensions in the region, with additional drone sightings reported in Romanian airspace, another NATO member. NATO and Polish officials continue to prepare for various scenarios amid these escalations.
