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On Wednesday, Poland reported that its airspace had been violated 19 times, with at least three drones shot down
Police and Military Police secure parts of a damaged UAV shot down by Polish authorities at a site in Wohyn. (AP photo)
Poland and Latvia on Tuesday announced the closure of parts of their airspace near their eastern borders in response to a series of Russian drone intrusions.
Poland announced restrictions on civilian air traffic in the eastern part of the country after shooting down several Russian drones over its territory. The Polish air traffic control agency, PAZP, said civilian flights would be banned up to an altitude of three kilometres (1.9 miles) along the border with Belarus and Ukraine till December 9.
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The restricted zone extends between 26 and 46 kilometres inside Polish territory, and all drone flights in the area are banned day and night. The agency emphasised that flights above three kilometres are not affected by the restrictions.
“These measures are being put in place to assure national security,” PAZP said.
On Wednesday, Poland reported that its airspace had been violated 19 times, with at least three drones shot down as Polish and NATO jets scrambled to respond. Polish authorities warned that Russia and Europe are edging closer to open conflict following these drone incursions.
Meanwhile, Latvia has taken similar steps, closing its airspace near the border with Russia and Belarus up to an altitude of 6 kilometres. The closure, which began on Thursday and will last at least till September 18, aims to protect against the threat posed by low-flying drones.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds explained that although there is no immediate threat, the risk from drones requires caution. Speaking on social media, he said, “We are closing the Latvian airspace zone near the eastern border with Belarus and Russia. This will allow full control of the restricted airspace zone and facilitate the detection of unauthorized flying objects.”
“It will clear the restricted airspace zone for NATO Baltic Air Policing mission fighters and our air defense systems. It will enable intensified testing of acoustic airspace surveillance systems, conducting drone and anti-drone simulations, deploying additional units, and training mobile combat units,” he added.
Poland’s drone incidents have drawn international attention, with the United States and NATO expressing support for Warsaw. Russia denied targeting Poland, but US President Donald Trump condemned the incursions as violations of NATO territory.
Footage from eastern Poland showed damage to a house caused during one of the drone incidents, but authorities confirmed no injuries.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Poland
September 11, 2025, 16:50 IST
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