Poland on High Alert as Russian Drones Spotted
WARSAW — In a dramatic turn of events, Polish authorities have taken the unprecedented step of closing Warsaw International Airport as reports surface of Russian drones flying over the country.
The Polish military’s Operational Command issued a chilling statement, declaring that “ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest level of alert” following Russia’s aggressive airstrikes on Ukrainian territory.
“To ensure the security of Polish airspace, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures,” the statement emphasized, highlighting the military’s readiness for an immediate response.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) posted on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s website confirmed that Warsaw Chopin Airport was off-limits “due to unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security.”
Initial reports from the Ukrainian Air Force indicated that drones were moving westward, posing a threat to the city of Zamosc in Poland. However, these statements were later removed, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty, as per Reuters.
The exact number of drones breaching Poland’s airspace remains unclear at this time.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian media sources suggested that at least one drone was en route to the western Polish city of Rzeszow.
Of note, Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport has served as a crucial logistics hub for NATO aid to Ukraine, even though the United States withdrew its forces from the base earlier this year.
Adding to the chaos, the airport in Lublin, Poland, situated southeast of Warsaw, was also marked as unavailable due to ongoing military activities, as indicated by another NOTAM.
Furthermore, Poland recently announced the closure of its eastern border with Belarus, a key ally of Russia, in anticipation of military exercises set to commence on Friday. — CNN
