The British Defence Secretary John Healey warned on Wednesday afternoon that Russia is “testing” the West and the UK and Europe will stand “firm” against attacks from Vladimir Putin.
On Wednesday morning NATO fighter jets engaged directly with Russia for the first time shooting down “suicide drones” over Polish airspace.
Polish airspace is being “repeatedly violated” and Polish Dutch US and Italian fighter jets were scrambled to shoot down more than 10 Russian drones.
Millions of citizens across Poland were ordered to stay at home as the Russian drones entered into Poland at 7am on Wednesday morning.
Healey said that that Russia’s aggression has been bought to a “new level of hostility,” adding, Putin’s actions were “reckless, unprecedented and dangerous” for Europe.
Read more related news:
FCDO issues a travel warning for Poland as NATO fighter jets engage directly with Russia for the first time
He said, “Last night Putin took this aggression to a new level of hostility. A violation of Polish airspace deep enough for Warsaw airport to be closed and Nato jets forced directly to shoot down Russia’s drones while, of course, the attacks on Ukraine continue to intensify.
“Poland’s direct defensive military action last night is the first of its kind since Putin launched his illegal invasion in 2022. Minister Kosiniak Kamysz was rightly heading home to Poland very early this morning to deal with this attack.
“Russia’s actions are reckless, unprecedented and dangerous. We totally condemn these attacks, and we say to President Putin: Your aggression only strengthens the unity between Nato nations.”
On Wednesday defence officials from France, Germany, Poland and Italy held a press conference with the UK and said, “Together, we the E5 totally condemn these attacks.
“Russia’s actions are reckless, they’re dangerous, they’re unprecedented. We see what Putin is doing. Yet again he is testing us. Yet again we will stand firm.”
On Wednesday NATO invoked Article 4 of the treaty after a large number Russian “suicide drones” violated Polish airspace.
We stand by our @NATO Allies in the face of these airspace violations and will defend every inch of NATO territory. https://t.co/3g3JVKJKSG
— U.S. Ambassador to NATO (@USAmbNATO) September 10, 2025
Warsaw said that Russian drones in their airspace is an “act of aggression,” and the Operation Command of the Polish Armed Forces said, “There was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace. This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens.”
Matthew Whitaker, the United States’ ambassador to NATO said on Wednesday that America will defend “every inch of NATO territory.”
Article 4 states, “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.”
NATO spokesman Allison Hart said they are “in close consultation” with Poland and another alliance source said that initial indications shows the drone incursion was a deliberate act, to which a US Senator has said this is an “act war.”
“I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before,” Tusk warned.
This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
