Poland’s military has confirmed the downing of drones that breached its airspace amidst a Russian offensive against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. In an official statement shared on social media, Poland’s Operational Command announced it was actively searching for the downed drones, urging local residents to remain indoors while a military operation was underway.
Reports indicate that, following the incursion of these drones, authorities closed Warsaw International Airport and scrambled Polish and NATO aircraft to ensure airspace security. The military heightened its readiness, with ground-based air defence and radar systems on high alert after Russia initiated extensive airstrikes on Ukraine.
A Notice to Airmen issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration declared that Warsaw Chopin Airport, among others, was temporarily unavailable due to unexpected military activities aimed at safeguarding state security. The situation escalated as Ukrainian military sources warned of drones moving westward towards Poland’s city of Zamosc, though this message was later retracted.
Details regarding the quantity and specific capabilities of the detected drones remain unclear. Ukrainian media also reported sightings of at least one drone near Rzeszow, which has been a critical logistics hub for NATO assistance to Ukraine, albeit the US withdrew its forces from this base earlier in the year. Notably, other airports in southeastern Poland, including Lublin, have also restricted operations due to military activity.
In conjunction with the aerial threats, Poland announced the closure of its eastern border with Belarus, as Russian-Belarusian military exercises, named Zapad 25, were set to commence. These drills have prompted heightened security concerns not only within Poland but also for its neighbours in NATO, particularly Lithuania and Latvia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the aggressive military doctrine associated with these exercises, reinforcing the decision to close the border and halt railway crossings for national security reasons. He emphasised that this precaution was necessary given the proximity of the maneuvers to Poland’s territory.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing investigations into the drone incidents and their implications for Poland’s security posture within NATO. The potential for further escalations looms as regional tensions continue to rise in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.