Poland has officially requested the activation of NATO’s Article 4 on Wednesday, September 10, amid a surge in Russian drone intrusions into Polish airspace, marking the second time Poland has triggered the security emergency protocol.
Poland Activates NATO Article 4
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced on Wednesday that Poland has officially requested the activation of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), following multiple airspace intrusions by Russian drones. Polish Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka confirmed the activation, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg verified that Poland initiated the Article 4 procedure.
Article 4 in Historical Context
Poland has activated Article 4 previously in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. The procedure was also considered during the 2021 Belarus migrant crisis and following infrastructure incidents in the Baltic Sea.
Details of Russian Drone Incursions
Polish authorities have reported 19 violations of its airspace by Russian drones, some of which were shot down by NATO ally aircraft. This marks the first direct involvement of NATO forces in combat operations within a member state’s airspace.
