Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, has urged NATO members to deliberate on establishing a targeted no-fly zone over Ukraine. This call follows a series of Russian drone violations into Polish airspace, raising alarms about regional security.
Last Wednesday, multiple Russian drones entered Polish territory, triggering NATO fighter jets and air defense systems to intercept and neutralize the threats. Although these drones were reportedly unarmed, their presence caused damage to civilian properties, with emergency crews repairing homes in the town of Wyryki after debris fell from the downed drones.
In an interview with Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine, Sikorski emphasized that NATO’s active engagement would not only safeguard Poland’s borders but also enhance civilian protection. He noted, “Shielding our citizens-such as preventing harm from falling wreckage-would be more effective if we could intercept drones and other aerial threats before they reach our national airspace.”
He further suggested that if Ukraine formally requests assistance, NATO could consider extending its air defense operations into Ukrainian skies to counter drone incursions. “Personally, I believe this is an option worth exploring,” Sikorski added.
The concept of a no-fly zone over Ukraine is not unprecedented. Early in the 2022 conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky advocated for such measures. However, NATO, including the United States, declined due to concerns about provoking direct confrontations with Russian military aircraft, which could escalate the war. Sikorski’s current proposal is more narrowly focused, targeting drone threats near NATO’s borders rather than a broad airspace ban.
According to Poland’s Interior Ministry, 16 drones were detected during the recent incursion. The defense response involved Polish and Dutch fighter jets, supported by multinational NATO forces from Italy, Germany, and other member states.
In reaction to these events, NATO initiated the “Eastern Sentry” mission to strengthen air defense capabilities over Poland. The UK Ministry of Defence announced that Royal Air Force jets would join this operation, reaffirming Britain’s steadfast commitment to protecting NATO territories.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry denied any intentional targeting of Poland, asserting that their drones have a maximum operational range of 700 kilometers (435 miles) and are solely aimed at Ukrainian targets. Moscow claimed that any drone crossing into Polish airspace would be accidental or technically unfeasible given their equipment’s specifications.
The regional tension escalated further when Romania deployed fighter jets after a Russian drone violated its airspace on Saturday, highlighting the expanding risks of drone warfare spilling over NATO’s eastern frontiers.
Sikorski’s statements underscore NATO’s complex challenge: protecting member states while avoiding direct military escalation with Russia. Whether NATO allies will endorse Poland’s proposal for a limited no-fly zone remains to be seen, but these recent incidents underscore the increasing strain on NATO’s eastern defenses amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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