Just one week after President Trump met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the White House, Russia fired some two dozen drones into the NATO nation on Wednesday.  

The assault prompted NATO allies to militarily respond to the apparent Russian attack, and for the first time brought Poland to the closest it has been to open conflict since World War II.

Soldiers patrol the street after a drone or similar object struck a residential building according to local authorities, following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, in Wyryki municipality, Poland Sept. 10, 2025.      (Agencja Wyborcza.pl/Jakub Orzechowski/via Reuters)

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a statement on Wednesday that “A full assessment of the incident is ongoing.”

“What is clear is that the violation last night is not an isolated incident,” he added in reference to similar situations in which Russian drones have increasingly crossed NATO borders in recent months. 

Tusk called the incident “a large-scale provocation” and said “the situation is serious, and no-one doubts that we must prepare for various scenarios.”

Rutte said NATO leaders held a meeting this morning after Poland enacted Article 4, which triggers urgent talks “whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”

Rutte confirmed that the overnight drone attack not only scrambled Polish warplanes, but also Dutch F-35s, Italian Airborne Warning and Control Systems, NATO Multi Role Tanker Transport system for air-to-air refueling, and German Patriots were “activated” and “successfully ensured the defense of NATO territory.”

A member of the Polish Army inspects a damaged house, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine and some were shot down by Poland, in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, Sept. 10, 2025.  (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)

“This is the first time NATO planes have engaged potential threats in Allied airspace,” spokesperson for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, U.S. Army Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, said Wednesday. “NATO, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and all of Allied Command Operations is committed to defending every kilometre of NATO territory, including our airspace.”