Poland Shuts Down Airspace in Response to Russian Strikes, NATO Increases Baltic Presence

Due to ‘unplanned military activity,’ a segment of Polish airspace near the capital was briefly closed on Sunday amidst a fresh wave of Russian attacks against Ukraine. The Polish armed forces verified that fighter jets were deployed to safeguard the country’s airspace, describing the move as a preventive measure to protect the public. This airspace closure, affecting the cities of Lublin and Rzeszów, was anticipated to remain in effect until the early morning hours. In the meantime, Ukraine’s air force reported that air raid sirens were active across the nation from 03:00 GMT on Sunday, triggered by the ongoing Russian missile strikes. Earlier in the month, Polish and NATO forces intercepted Russian drones that had entered Polish airspace, representing their first direct military engagement with Moscow since the 2022 invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cautioned NATO and the European Union that any act of aggression against Russia would be met with a firm response. Lavrov, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, declared that Moscow had no intention of attacking the West, but was prepared to retaliate if provoked. Following drone incursions in Denmark, NATO announced it is enhancing its mission in the Baltic Sea with an air defense frigate and other assets, including upgraded surveillance capabilities. Unidentified drones were observed near Danish military installations overnight on Saturday, prompting authorities to classify these events as hybrid attacks. Copenhagen airport, the busiest in the Nordic region, was temporarily shut down, while several smaller Danish airports were also closed for short periods. In Norway, police confirmed investigations into potential drone sightings near Oerland air force base, the central hub for the country’s F-35 jets. In Germany, a drone ‘swarm’ was identified over Schleswig-Holstein, with the Interior Minister expressing a desire to amend air safety regulations to allow the armed forces to shoot down drones. On Friday, defense ministers from approximately ten EU countries expressed a desire to prioritize the construction of a ‘drone wall’ to secure their borders. In response, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that these actions would escalate military and political tensions.