Poland shoots down Russian drones and invokes NATO Article 4 for consultation

Introduction

On June 24, 2022, Poland made a bold move by shooting down two Russian drones that entered its airspace. This action has sparked fears of a potential escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and has raised the question of whether or not NATO will intervene. The situation is further complicated by Poland's decision to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, calling for consultation within the alliance over security.

The Conflict in Ukraine

The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Despite efforts to reach a peaceful resolution, tensions have remained high as Russia and Ukraine continue to accuse each other of aggression. The recent incident in Poland adds a new layer of complexity to the conflict, and has the potential to draw NATO into the fray.

NATO's Role

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance consisting of 30 member countries. Its primary purpose is to guarantee the security and defense of its members. In the event of an attack on one member, the others are obligated to come to their defense. With Poland invoking Article 4, the question remains whether or not NATO will activate Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.