Two Dutch F-35 Lightning IIs fly over the North Sea on April 28, 2025. Russian drones that crossed into Poland on Sept. 9 were shot down by Dutch fighter jets, in what NATO officials said was the first time the bloc's planes have fired on potential threats in allied airspace. (Christopher Campbell/U.S. Air Force)
Dutch fighter jets’ downing of Russian drones that crossed into Poland marks the first time in history that NATO planes have fired on potential threats in allied airspace, the bloc’s military command said just hours later.
“NATO responded quickly and decisively to the situation, demonstrating our capability and resolve to defend Allied territory,” Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said in a statement Wednesday, a day after the incursion.
Besides the scrambling of Dutch and Polish aircraft, German Patriot missile defense units in Poland also were placed on alert as the drone incursion unfolded, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe said.
An Italian airborne early warning plane and an aerial refueler from NATO’s multinational aircraft fleet also were launched. NATO officials said they were in close consultation with Poland over the incident.
“This is the first time NATO planes have engaged potential threats in Allied airspace,” SHAPE spokesman Col. Martin O’Donnell said in the statement.
Western leaders lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for a tough response to the incursion, which NATO says involved numerous drones.
On Wednesday, NATO leaders met at the request of Poland after invoking the alliance’s Article 4 provision, which allows for emergency talks in the event a member believes that its territorial integrity has been violated.
Although the response to the incursion proved that NATO can defend its airspace, allies must stay “one step ahead” of the Russians, Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters Wednesday.
Some military observers said the situation highlights the need for more action to protect allied airspace.
Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, a former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, said using fighter planes to take down drones indicated that NATO could be better prepared.
The alliance and U.S. European Command need to conduct theaterwide air and missile defense exercises to deter or defeat future Russian attacks, Hodges said in a statement. He called those exercises “long overdue.”
The drone flights into Poland show that the Kremlin was “rehearsing now, checking our response times and capabilities,” Hodges said.
Deployment of small drones and development of tactics to counter them have been hallmarks of the war in Ukraine, where both sides have put related technology to effective use.
In response, the U.S. military and other allies have been playing catch-up when it comes to equipping units with affordable and flexible weapons systems that can be used to take drones down.
Beyond tactics, Western officials stretching from Washington to Brussels are now calling for tougher sanctions on Russia and other measures in response to the incident.
“This is an act of war, and we are grateful to NATO allies for their swift response to war criminal Putin’s continued unprovoked aggression against free and productive nations,” U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said in a statement.
Wilson called on President Donald Trump to respond with mandatory sanctions “that will bankrupt the Russian war machine and arm Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said violations of NATO airspace were a sign that Putin was testing allies’ resolve and willingness to protect Poland and the Baltic nations.
“After the carnage Putin continues to visit on Ukraine, these incursions cannot be ignored,” he said.
The European Union’s chief diplomat made similar remarks.
“Last night in Poland, we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental,” Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy boss, said in a statement.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said allies need to consider more aggressive measures, such as intercepting drones and missiles in Ukrainian airspace that are headed toward NATO territory.
“A weak response now will provoke Russia even more, and then Russian missiles and drones will fly even further into Europe,” he said.
Russia has yet to respond publicly about the incident. SHAPE said that by early Wednesday morning, alerted forces had returned to standard readiness levels.
This story has been updated.
