Poland recorded 19 intrusions by Russian drones into its airspace on Wednesday morning, with its military downing a number of drones over its territory that were deemed to pose a threat, reports Euronews.
"The shooting down of drones threatening our security is a success for Polish and NATO forces, which simultaneously changes the political situation," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
According to Reuters, this is the first time a NATO member fires a shot in the Ukraine war. Poland officially submitted a request to activate NATO's Article 4, calling for consultations with allies.
Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty provides for the possibility of joint consultations between NATO allies "whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened".
This is less high profile than Article 5 on collective defence, where an attack on one Member State is considered as an attack on all.
Polish PM Donald Tusk, said that his country has every right to initiate the request on the activation of the article, as the country's airspace was violated by Russia in a deliberate act which constituted an immediate threat.
"A conflict between Europe and Russia is now closer than ever," Tusk added.
Polish media reported that one of the drones hit a residential building, while fragments were discovered in many areas.
"Russia’s war is escalating, not ending," said the EU’s policy chief and Commission Vice-President Kaya Kallas, commenting on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, brought down by fighter jets.
The drone incursion occured during a large-scale attack on Ukraine regions bordering Poland.
"Ιt was the most serious violation of European airspace since the outbreak of the war and all indications point to a deliberate act," Kalas added, noting that EU officials were in contact with NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte and the Polish Deputy Prime Minister.
Kalas stressed that in the wake of the latest Russian action, military support to Ukraine must be strengthened and additional investment made to European defence.
Commission President Ursula Von Der Layen also referred to the issue in her State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, condemning another act of Russian aggression and pointing to the need to further support Ukraine.