Poland temporarily restricted civilian air traffic over part of its airspace after what were likely balloons entered the NATO member from neighboring Belarus, Warsaw has said.
The objects entered Polish airspace overnight Friday two days after a similar incident caused the closure of airspace in the northeast of the country.
Newsweek has contacted the Belarusian foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Over the last month, Poland has reported several incidents of balloons flying into its airspace from Belarus, which is Russia’s closest ally. Reported to be carrying contraband, the launch of the balloons is considered a hybrid war tactic, which Moscow is accused of conducting, raising fears among the alliance’s eastern bloc members.
What To Know
Poland’s armed forces said on X that overnight Friday that objects had entered Polish airspace from Belarus and there was a “high probability” that they were balloons.
Military radar systems monitored their flight and to ensure safety, civil aviation restrictions over the Podlaskie province in the northeast of the country were introduced, but no threat to Polish airspace safety was recorded.
The statement did not say that any aircraft had been deployed, which has happened during Russian drone strikes on Ukraine that have threatened to encroach on Polish airspace.
The Polish armed forces said it was another in a series of hybrid incidents in the eastern area of Poland, whose armed forces remained ready to respond.
Earlier in January, Poland had summoned the Belarusian chargé d’affaires over a previous airspace breach by objects thought to be smuggling balloons, Polish media reported.
On January 17, the NATO member had recorded an increase in smuggling balloons filled with illegal cigarettes near the Belarusian border. Polish police said on December 26 several dozen flying objects, most likely smuggling balloons, had crossed into the country from Belarus on Christmas Eve.
NATO announced in September it would beef up its air presence along the alliance eastern edge after around 20 Russian drones crossed over into Poland on September 10.
Moscow denied it had targeted the country, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the incident marked “the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II.”
What People Are Saying
Polish Armed Forces, in a statement on X: “Objects entering Polish airspace from the direction of Belarus were once again detected.
“Based on the analysis of flight parameters, they were assessed with high probability as balloons moving in accordance with current meteorological conditions.”
What Happens Next
Poland said the security of its airspace was not compromised but the latest incident will add to concerns about hybrid activities, which include drone incursions, that NATO members say are a ploy by Belarus and Russia to test the alliance’s resolve.
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