Poland Downs Drones in First Action by a NATO Member in Ukraine War

Objects Are Said to Have Entered Polish Airspace During Large Russian Air Attack

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WARSAW - Poland shot down drones in its airspace on Sept. 10 with the backing of military aircraft from its NATO allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told Parliament it was "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II," although he also said he had "no reason to believe we're on the brink of war."

Moscow denied responsibility for the incident, with a senior diplomat in Poland saying the drones had come from the direction of Ukraine.

European leaders, who have lately been trying to persuade US President Donald Trump to join them in tightening sanctions on Russia and boosting support for Kyiv, said it justified a collective response.

There was no immediate response from Washington.

Poland said 19 objects had entered its airspace during a large Russian air attack on Ukraine, and that it had shot down those that posed a threat.

Mr. Tusk called the incident a "large-scale provocation" and said he had activated Article 4 of NATO's treaty, under which alliance members can demand consultations with their allies.

A NATO spokesperson said NATO chief Mark Rutte was in touch with the Polish leadership and the alliance was consulting closely with Poland.

A source said NATO was not treating the incident as an attack but as an intentional incursion.