NATO pledges to defend 'every inch of Poland' after Russian drone incursion

Tension in Europe is deepening after the incursion of Russian drones in Poland. NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, stated that the allies "are determined to defend every inch of Polish territory" and described the violation of the airspace as a "dangerous and reckless" act.

NATO's immediate response

In a statement from Brussels, Rutte confirmed that the North Atlantic Council held an emergency meeting to address the incident following Poland's request to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This clause allows consultations to be convened when a member state considers its territorial integrity or security to be threatened.

"Whether intentional or not, it is absolutely reckless," Rutte declared, urging Vladimir Putin to immediately stop violations of allied airspace. The Secretary General reiterated that NATO's air defenses "are continuously prepared" and will continue to monitor the eastern flank.

Poland calls it a "large-scale provocation"

Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the early morning as a "dramatic night" in which several Russian drones were shot down. According to his analysis, "most likely" this is a deliberate provocation against Poland and the Atlantic Alliance.

Tusk indicated that Warsaw will continue working closely with NATO to strengthen security and ensure that the country can respond effectively to future threats.

The Kremlin's silence and Moscow's accusation

Meanwhile, the Kremlin avoided making direct comments. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Defense and that, so far, there have been no official contacts with Warsaw. He also accused NATO and the European Union of making "daily accusations without arguments."

The Russian stance, marked by denial and lack of cooperation, increases the concern of allied countries, who see these attacks as a dangerous escalation that could extend the war beyond Ukraine.

Escalation on the eastern flank

The episode reinforces the perception that Moscow seeks to test NATO's limits and gauge the response of the allies on its eastern border. For Poland, which has already warned about the proximity to an "open conflict not seen since World War II," the incident represents a turning point in its national security.