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.
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