Polish FM, defence minister respond to drone violation of airspace
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz have responded to another violation of the country’s airspace, announcing a diplomatic protest and calling the incident a Russian provocation.
"Another violation of our airspace from the East confirms that Poland’s most important mission within NATO is the defence of our own territory," Sikorski wrote on the X platform on Wednesday. "The foreign ministry will lodge a protest against the perpetrator," he added.
The statement followed an incident during Tuesday night, when an unidentified object fell and exploded in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in Poland’s eastern region. According to a source close to the defence ministry cited by PAP, it was a military drone, most likely a so-called decoy, without a warhead and containing only a small amount of explosives.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said later on Wednesday that the object was most likely a Russian drone and described the incident as "a provocation by the Russian Federation" at a moment when peace discussions are under way. He reported that he had held a briefing with top commanders and that all state services, including the Internal Security Agency (ABW), Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW), Military Police and the police, were cooperating and keeping allies informed.
He added that the defence ministry was in contact with the head of the National Security Bureau (BBN) Slawomir Cenckiewicz, as well as with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the foreign ministry, and that Sikorski would take appropriate diplomatic steps.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also announced that he has requested a detailed report and guidelines regarding "a Russian provocation" in Osiny from the operational commander of the Armed Forces.
The defence minister reported that the country's radar systems did not detect any airspace violations overnight.
In a statement issued later in the day, BBN said that President Karol Nawrocki is being kept regularly informed about the incident, while Cenckiewicz remains in constant contact with the defence minister. Information about the incident is also being provided to BBN by government institutions, and the bureau maintains contact with the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces (DORSZ).
BBN added that the armed forces' actions are coordinated by DORSZ through a special task team.
Adam Szlapka, the government's speaker, told the private broadcaster TVN24 that all services had acted immediately, and that the prime minister was swiftly notified of the incident. He said that Poland must address issues related to the Shield East fortification project and anti-drone protection. "These are years of neglect, and we still have to work very carefully on everything," said the speaker.
In connection with the incident, proceedings have been launched initially under Article 163 of the Penal Code, which concerns the crime of causing direct danger to human life and health. District Prosecutor in Lublin Grzegorz Trusiewicz said that five prosecutors, including himself and military specialists, are working at the site. Experts in aviation accidents and explosives are also taking part in the inspection.(PAP)
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