Polish fighter jets on Thursday intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near Poland’s airspace over the Baltic Sea and escorted it away from their area of responsibility.
At the same time, dozens of objects were detected entering Polish airspace from Belarus overnight. The military warned that incidents during the holiday season could signal a provocation.
In a statement, the Polish army said: “This morning, over the international waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets visually identified and escorted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft from our area of responsibility.”
Countries on NATO’s eastern flank have been on high alert for potential airspace incursions since September, when three Russian military jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes, just days after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
Poland’s National Security Bureau reported that several dozen objects entered Polish airspace from the Belarusian side, with four so far identified as likely smuggling balloons.
The bureau added: “The mass nature of the violation of Polish airspace, its occurrence during the holiday season, the activity of Russian aircraft in the Baltic Sea, and similar recent incidents in Lithuania may indicate that this was a provocation disguised as a smuggling operation.”
Belarusian and Russian embassies in Warsaw have not immediately responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
Smuggling balloons from Belarus have repeatedly disrupted air traffic in Lithuania, forcing temporary closures of Vilnius airport. Lithuania says the balloons, sent by smugglers transporting cigarettes, constitute a “hybrid attack” by Belarus. Belarus has denied responsibility.
The Polish army said part of the airspace over northeast Poland’s Podlaskie region, bordering Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian flights to ensure security.
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to fin...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time bein...
China's coastal areas and southern regions are preparing for days of intense precipitation, with tens of thous...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Pakistan is stepping up efforts to protect its trade and energy supplies as the Iran war disrupts shipping through the Persian Gulf, driving up freight costs and putting pressure on key export routes.
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to finalise lists of people who could be released, Russia's state news agency TASS said Wednesday.
The Trump administration has temporarily suspended some visa appointment scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world as part of a new training initiative for consular staff, adding another layer to the administration's broader immigration policy overhaul.
The United States has launched what it describes as its most aggressive sanctions campaign yet against Iran, expanding secondary sanctions and targeting sectors ranging from shipping and aviation to technology and finance.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Canada has announced nearly $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and billions in support for workers and businesses, escalating its trade dispute with Washington after President Donald Trump's latest duties took effect.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment