Poland has introduced restrictions to air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine, the Armed Forces' Operational Command said on Thursday, amidst increased tensions a day after multiple drone incursions into the NATO member's airspace on Wednesday.
Poland shot down suspected Russian drones in its airspace with the backing of aircraft from its NATO allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia's war in Ukraine.
"At the request of the Operational Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces ... air traffic restrictions will be introduced in the eastern part of Poland in the form of the restricted zone EP R129", Polish Air Navigation Agency said in a statement published late on Wednesday.
The restrictions came into force at 2200 GMT 10 September and apply until 9 December, it said.
The incursion of Russian drones in Poland has reignited safety concerns over the vulnerability of civil air transport in Europe, aviation and insurance experts said, the latest upheaval facing airlines from escalating global conflict.
From sunrise to sunset flights in the restricted zone are banned, apart from manned aircraft operating in accordance with a flight plan with appropriate transponders and maintaining two-way communication with air authorities, the agency said.
The restrictions also make exception for military flights and some additional special-purpose flights and call signs.
"From sunset to sunrise there is a total ban on flights, with the exception of military aircraft... In the EP R129 zone, there is a 24-hour flight ban on civilian unmanned aircraft, the agency said.
Speaking to pilots at the military airbase in Poland on 11 September, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, “We will do everything to ensure that our allied commitments, which are so important from our perspective today, are fulfilled by our allies, so that we, as a country, and you, as Polish pilots, are never alone, whether in times of peace or war.”
He added that, "... this lesson from last night should be a very strong argument for you, not only on your behalf, but also for Poland in our talks with all allies. I will do everything I can, I will bend over backwards to ensure this."
At Poland's request, the United Nations (UN) Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to address Russia's violation of Polish airspace, the Polish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its drones had carried out a major attack on military facilities in western Ukraine, but it had not planned to hit any targets in Poland.
Turkic states are assessing the feasibility of passport-free travel between countries using national ID cards, Kürşad Zorlu, the Deputy Chair...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, qu...
Türkiye has banned children under 15 from using social media under new regulations published on Saturday. ...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, questioning why Moscow was granted an economic benefit without an apparent concession towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race.
Ukrainian drone strikes have hit two Yandex data centres in Russia on consecutive days, disrupting digital services as Kyiv intensifies attacks on Russia's digital infrastructure.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment