Poland has requested NATO action under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, after shooting down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a massive overnight strike on Ukraine.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia launched about 415 drones and more than 40 missiles across 15 Ukrainian regions, killing one person in Zhytomyr and wounding three in Khmelnytskyi.
This was the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that Polish forces engaged hostile drones over their territory — prompting Warsaw to seek consultations with NATO allies.
What Article 4 Says
Article 4 provides a mechanism for allies to consult whenever a member believes its territorial integrity, political independence or security is under threat.
The clause does not trigger military action or collective defence — which is covered separately by Article 5 — but it is often a precursor to stronger steps. Typically, it leads to discussions at the North Atlantic Council (NAC), where decisions are made by consensus. “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened,” the treaty text states.
When Has Article 4 Been Invoked Before?
- 2003 – Iraq War: Turkey requested consultations over security concerns. NATO provided support including Patriot air defence missiles.
- 2012 – Syrian Civil War: Turkey again invoked Article 4 after cross-border attacks. NATO deployed Patriot systems along its border.
- 2014 – Crimea Crisis: Poland requested talks following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
- 2020 – Syria (Idlib): Turkey called for consultations after dozens of its soldiers were killed in Syria.
- 2022 – Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovakia triggered Article 4, leading NATO to reinforce its eastern flank.
