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.
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