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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 introduced flight restrictions in its eastern region after shooting down several Russian drones. The Polish air traffic control agency, PAZP, said civilian flights below an altitude of three kilometres (1.9 miles) will be banned along the borders with Belarus and Ukraine till December 9.
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The restricted zone stretches between 26 and 46 kilometres inside Polish territory. All drone activity in the area is banned around the clock. Flights above three kilometres remain unaffected.
“These measures are being put in place to assure national security,” PAZP said in a statement.
Poland reported 19 airspace violations on Wednesday, with at least three drones shot down. Polish and NATO jets were scrambled in response. Officials in Warsaw warned that Russia and Europe may be edging closer to open conflict.
Latvia has taken similar steps, closing its airspace near the borders with Russia and Belarus up to an altitude of six kilometres. The restrictions, which began on Thursday, will remain in place till at least September 18.
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds said there was no immediate threat, but low-flying drones pose a risk. Writing on X, he said the move would help monitor the restricted zone and detect unauthorised flying objects.
Pēc @Latvijas_armija izvērtējuma slēdzam Latvijas gaisa telpas zonu pie austrumu robežas ar Baltkrieviju un Krieviju.Gaisa telpas zona būs slēgta no šodienas pulksten 18.00 uz vismaz vienu nedēļu – līdz 18. septembrim. Tūlītēja apdraudējuma nav, bet armija ir paaugstinātā…
— Andris Spruds (@AndrisSpruds) September 11, 2025
He added that the closure would also support NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, enhance testing of air surveillance systems, and allow for drone defence simulations and training of mobile units. “It will enable intensified testing of acoustic airspace surveillance systems, conducting drone and anti-drone simulations, deploying additional units, and training mobile combat units.”
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 AFP)
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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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