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.
About the Organizations Mentioned
NATO
The **North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)** is a transatlantic military alliance founded in 1949 to secure peace in Europe and protect democratic nations from Soviet aggression. It began with 12 founding members and has expanded to include 32 countries across North America and Europe as of 2025, including recent additions Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024)[1][3]. NATO's core principle is collective defense, meaning an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all, enshrined in Article 5 of its founding treaty[3]. Originally established as a Cold War bulwark, NATO has evolved beyond its initial Euro-Atlantic focus, engaging in missions worldwide, such as in Afghanistan and Libya[1]. The alliance remains central to U.S.-Europe military cooperation and has adapted to new security challenges, particularly Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has significantly reshaped NATO’s priorities. This aggression has spurred increased defense spending, stronger collective deterrence efforts, and accelerated Ukraine’s path toward potential membership[1][4]. In June 2025, NATO held its first summit in the Netherlands, where leaders agreed on raising defense spending targets to 5% of GDP—split between 3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for related security costs, including support for Ukraine. This marked a historic commitment to bolster the alliance’s military capabilities amid evolving global threats. The summit also emphasized eliminating defense trade barriers and reaffirmed the ironclad commitment to collective defense[2][5]. NATO’s ongoing significance lies in its role as a strategic security platform fostering cooperation among member states, responding to geopolitical instability, and adapting to emerging threats like terrorism and cyber warfare[4]. Its "open door" policy continues to invite eligible European democracies to join, reinforcing its mission to safeguard peace, democracy, and shared technological and defense innovations across allied nations[1][4].
