Poland launches operation to strengthen airspace “in response to Russian aggression”

Poland has launched a new operation to strengthen the defence of its airspace along its borders with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, in particular from low-flying drones.

The operation, named Eastern Aurora, is “a direct response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine”, which “has increased the risk of violations of Polish airspace”, says the operational command of Poland’s armed forces. “In the face of Russia’s unpredictable actions, strengthening air defence is a priority.”

Since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Polish airspace has been violated several times, including by Russian missiles and observation balloons, as well as Belarusian helicopters.

In one case, two people died after an object crossed the border and landed in Poland in November 2022. While initially thought to be a Russian missile, it was later discovered to have been fired by Ukrainian air defence in response to a Russian attack.

In view of this increased risk, Poland earlier this month proposed that it could shoot down Russian missiles that are in Ukrainian airspace but heading towards Polish territory. The idea was, however, rejected by NATO’s secretary general, who warned that it would risk the alliance “becoming part of the conflict”.

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Yesterday, Polish military command announced that the main objective of the Eastern Aurora operation, which will begin on 1 August, will be “to protect Poland’s airspace from objects that unlawfully violate its borders”.

A particular target will be objects flying “at low and very low altitudes, which is typical for drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles”, they added. “The operation covers the eastern and northeastern borders of Poland, where the risk of violations is the highest.”

In the east, Poland borders Ukraine and Belarus, while in the northeast it borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The activities planned as part of the operation include continuous monitoring of airspace, response to and neutralisation of detected violations; cooperation with allies and countries bordering Poland to ensure effective exchange of information and coordination of defence activities; and regular training and exercises.

Main image credit: Komenda Powiatowa Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Przeworsku (under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 PL)

Alicja Ptak

Alicja Ptak is senior editor at Notes from Poland and a multimedia journalist. She previously worked for Reuters.