What happens next after Russia responds to Poland shooting down drones amid WW3 fears

Tensions between Russia and the West are growing.

Russia has been embroiled in a devastating war with Ukraine since 2022, something which European countries and America have condemned ever since Russian soldiers set foot on Ukrainian soil.

So far Russia has largely kept the bloodshed within Ukraine's borders, but neighboring countries have seemingly been caught in the crossfire — Poland, for example.

What happened in Poland?

In the early hours of September 10 Poland reported that multiple Russian drones had infiltrated its airspace. As a result they shot done the drones with the help of NATO allies.

Poland's Prime Minister tweeted this morning: "Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down. I am in constant communication with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies."

He said in a follow up tweet: "My thanks and congratulations to the Polish Operational Command and our NATO pilots for shooting down Russian drones over Poland. Actions speak louder than words."

Russian drones have been in Polish airspace on separate occasions in apparent error since its war with Ukraine began over three years ago, officials believe that last night's ordeal was 'intentional'.

What has Russia said in response?

While some have taken the drones flying over Poland as a warning sign from Russia, the country insists that it did not have any targets in Poland.

"The strike objectives have been achieved. All designated targets were hit," Russia's ministry of defence told Sky News. "No targets on the territory of Poland were planned for striking."

The statement continued: "The maximum flight range of the Russian UAVs used in the strike, which allegedly crossed the border with Poland, does not exceed 700 km.

"Nevertheless, we are ready to hold consultations with the Ministry of Defence of Poland on this matter."

What happens next?

Donald Tusk has asked NATO to open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty.

Article 4 is when one of NATO's 32 member countries can bring an issue to the attention of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and to call a meeting with its allies to discuss the situation, explains ITV News.

A country may request to activate Article 4 if 'territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened'.

Once invoked, the issue will be discussed by the NAC which may result in some form of joint decision or action.

The discussions could lead to Article 5 being used, which has only been done so once its NATO's history and the 9/11 attacks in America.

As per The Washington Post, Article 5 'compels each member to take such actions as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area'.