Poland requests NATO consultations after downing of drones

Poland has requested consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty relating to external threats, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Article 4 provides for consultations if a NATO member state feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

The Polish Air Force assisted by Dutch fighter jets destroyed over a dozen drones that entered the country’s airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine during the night, with Tusk saying that they came from Russia.

He said it is first time Russian drones had been shot down over NATO territory.

There were no reports of injury but there was damage to property.

The next article of the NATO treaty, Article 5, stipulates that an armed attack on one member of the alliance is considered an attack on all members.

The article obliged each member to respond to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

It is considered highly unlikely that Poland would request military assistance under Article 5 for now. (dpa/NAN)