Poland forces radical response under Article 4. Defense decisions hang in the balance

• In the event of a violation of Polish airspace, NATO passed the test, said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
• The entire process took place in consultation with NATO's Allied Joint Force Command in Brunssum, he added.
• Consultations under NATO Article 4 are the creation of an appropriate response to Russian provocations, he noted.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz presents information in the Sejm on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.

Then , 5-minute statements on behalf of parliamentary clubs and 3-minute statements on behalf of the circles are planned.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the orders to shoot down foreign aircraft were personally issued by the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces , General Maciej Klisz. He also emphasized that – unlike many moments in our history – we were not alone that night.

We were with our NATO allies, with our friends from Ukraine, and from other countries like Australia. The Royal Netherlands Air Force operated in its airspace, the Italians operated alongside us, and the German forces supported us with their Patriot batteries, deployed around the Jasionka airport.

- he mentioned.

As he pointed out, the entire process took place in consultation with the NATO Allied Joint Force Command in Brunssum.

Joint decisions, joint actions, coordination. NATO passed the test, NATO did not succumb to Russian pressure.

- the minister emphasized.

The Minister of National Defense emphasized that the government administration and the presidential National Security Bureau exchanged information on an ongoing basis, and that specific decisions were left to the military.

All information between us and the National Security Bureau was shared and consulted, but we also gave the military the opportunity to make decisions. There is political responsibility – these are military actions; they don't replace each other; they must complement and support each other.

- emphasized Kosiniak-Kamysz.

I would like to thank the president for his cooperation with the government and for his unity. This was a test that the Russian Federation is conducting , a test of our national unity, but also of our political responsibility. This test was passed.

- said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that talks with American and Canadian allies would take place on the evening of September 11th. The Minister of National Defense announced that he would also speak with the Danish Minister of Defense.

The Deputy Prime Minister assured that he remains in contact with ministers from allied countries: Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Latvia.

All NATO countries confirm their unity as allies

- said Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The Minister of National Defence also announced that consultations under NATO Article 4, the initiation of which was requested by Poland, are intended to create an appropriate response to Russian provocations.

As a result of the Article Four consultations, a radical response should be established to strengthen anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense.

- emphasized the Minister of Defense.

Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that when it comes to defense, NATO and the European Union are not against each other.

They complement each other. Armies are national and will remain so. National armies acquire operational capabilities, and for the first time in history, following the Polish presidency, the European Union has decided to support deterrence and defense capabilities , implementing the basic strategy of the North Atlantic Alliance.

- he said.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense also assessed that although Europe is learning its lesson in terms of defense, it needs to speed up.

ReArm Europe, all programs such as SAFE, the border security community, the appreciation of the Eastern Shield as a European program are the best proof of this

- he mentioned.

The Minister of National Defense recalled that a year ago, at the Polish initiative , Operation Baltic Sentry was launched in the Baltic Sea. He assessed that a similar operation should be launched on NATO's eastern flank.

In almost 30 minutes, the NATO Military Committee will meet, where the matter of actions to increase the defense of NATO's eastern flank will be taken up.

- said Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm.

We provide relevant comments and relevant requests

- added the Deputy Prime Minister.

Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that at the request of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski , an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council will be held.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that one of the goals of the Russian Federation's actions is to spread disinformation and to divide Polish citizens.

As he pointed out, there has been increased activity on the internet by profiles spreading disinformation, including blaming the Ukrainian side for the situation.

This is an attempt to weaken the willingness of NATO and Poland to support Ukraine.

- said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that once again we all realized how close war is.

Once again, we all realized how close the war is and that for over three years, on the territory of Ukraine, our neighbor, close to the Polish border, there has been a full-scale, unjustified aggression against freedom, human rights, life, from the smallest children, where bombs are constantly falling on nurseries, kindergartens, hospitals, to those who defend Ukraine, and even Ukrainian soldiers.

- said Kosiniak-Kamysz.

On the night of September 9-10, during Russia's attack on Ukraine, Polish airspace was violated 19 times by drones. Polish and allied radar systems participated in the defensive operation, tracking several targets and Polish and allied aircraft. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down.

In addition to ground systems, the following systems participated in the operation:

• AWACS early warning aircraft,
• two F-35 fighters,
• two F-16 fighters,
• Mi-24 combat helicopters,
• M-17 multi-role helicopters
• Black Hawk helicopters.

In the opinion of the military , this was an act of aggression and an unprecedented event that created a real threat to the safety of citizens.

The military and security services are searching for aircraft debris . According to the latest data from the Ministry of Interior and Administration, the remains of 16 drones have been found so far.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented the government's position in the Sejm (lower house of parliament) regarding the unprecedented violation of Polish airspace. The head of government said that 19 violations of Polish airspace occurred overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, and for the first time, drones flew from Belarus.

President Karol Nawrocki spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump. The Polish president said the conversation reaffirmed the alliance's unity.

The Prime Minister also held talks with world leaders, including the presidents of Ukraine and France, the Secretary General of NATO, the prime ministers of Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, and the German Chancellor. Tusk emphasized that he accepted not only expressions of solidarity with Poland, but above all, proposals for concrete support for the country's air defense.

Kosiniak-Kamysz informed that the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finns, Baltic states – all of them are ready to provide support and have declared concrete support.

He also said that the Swedish Minister of Defence had informed him about the urgent sending of further support to Poland , including anti-aircraft defence assets and aircraft.

On Thursday, at 5 p.m., President Karol Nawrocki called a meeting of the National Security Council.