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.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama said aliens are “real,” but emphasised that he never encountered any indication of extraterrestrial contact whi...
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would not assist Australian families of suspected Islamic State (IS) militants return h...
President Donald Trump said he will be involved “indirectly” in nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran scheduled for Tuesday in G...
The Pentagon has threatened to designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” amid a dispute over the military use of i...
Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to meet in Geneva for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the ne...
President Donald Trump said he will be involved “indirectly” in nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, as both sides resume diplomacy against a backdrop of military pressure and deep mistrust.
The Pentagon has threatened to designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” amid a dispute over the military use of its Claude AI model, according to a report published Monday.
Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to meet in Geneva for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, even as both sides intensify military pressure on the ground.
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed two people in the past 12 hours, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with rubbish piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Norway is holding a commanding lead in the medal standings with 12 golds and a total of 26, with Italy having an historic performance on home soil on the ninth day of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday (15 February).
Iran is pursuing a nuclear agreement with the U.S. that delivers economic benefits for both sides, an Iranian diplomat was reported as saying on Sunday (15 February), days before a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama said aliens are “real,” but emphasised that he never encountered any indication of extraterrestrial contact while in office.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would not assist Australian families of suspected Islamic State (IS) militants return home from a Syrian camp.
The Pentagon has threatened to designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” amid a dispute over the military use of its Claude AI model, according to a report published Monday.
Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to meet in Geneva for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, even as both sides intensify military pressure on the ground.
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on 16 February that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States. She's been tasked with overseeing the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment