Poland, rattled by Russian drone incursions, wants Nato to declare no-fly zone over Ukraine

After Russian armed drones entered its airspace, Poland has urged Nato to impose a ’no-fly zone’ over Ukraine.

Last week, Poland shot down Russian armed drones that entered its airspace. It was the first time that Russian drones had violated the airspace of a Nato member, and Nato members had shot down Russian drones. Days later, Russian drones entered the airspace of fellow Nato member Romania.

In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that the creation of a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be the best way to protect the alliance from Russian incursions.

“Protection for our population —for example, from falling debris— would certainly be greater if we could combat drones and other flying objects beyond our territory. If Ukraine asked us to shoot them down while they’re still over its territory, that would be advantageous for us. If you ask me personally: we should consider it,” said Sikorski about no-fly zone.

Establishing a no-fly zone over a territory refers to banning certain type of traffic or all traffic in that airspace. Fighter planes, drones, and ground-based missiles are used to implement the no-fly zone by shooting down all restricted aircraft, whether pilot planes or drones, in that airspace. In practical terms, a Nato-implemented no-fly zone would mean that Nato members would shoot down Russian drones and missiles in Ukrainian airspace.

Sikorski said that Nato as a bloc needs to make such decision instead of one or two countries.

Technically, Nato and the European Union (EU) could make the no-fly zone, but it’s not a decision that Poland can make alone and such a decision could only be made with allies, said Sikorski.