Polish foreign ministers suggest that NATO provinces should consider imposing no-fly zones on Ukraine to protect the alliance’s territory and people from Russian drones.
Radoslaw Sikorski said last week that Russian drones will invade Poland’s airspace. NATO fighter planes and air defense fired down unarmed drones.
Speaking about expanding such missions into Ukrainian airspace, Sikorsky told the German newspaper Aargemain:
“For example, protection of population from falling debris is naturally greater if it can fight drones and other flying objects.
“If Ukraine asks us to shoot down the territory, that’s in our advantage. If you ask me personally, we should consider it,” Sikorski added.
The Ukrainian No Fly Zone, promoted by Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, was debated by NATO allies in the 2022 Biden administration, but was rejected due to fear that a direct conflict with Russian fighters could widen the war.
Sikorski’s current proposal appears to be limited to addressing Russian drones approaching the Ukrainian border with NATO province.
A total of 16 drones were found nationwide after the invasion last Wednesday, according to the Polish Ministry of Interior. Polish and Dutch jets intercepted the drones with the support of Italian, German and NATO multinational forces, officials said.
In response to the drone invasion, Poland’s NATO allies have announced the “East Sentry” mission to protect the country’s airspace. On Monday, the UK announced that its royal family would take part in the mission.
“The UK’s commitment to help NATO protect every inch of its allied territory is unshakable,” the UK’s Ministry of Defense wrote in its X account.
Sikorsky told Frankfurter Argemine that it was no coincidence that so many drones suddenly appeared in Poland.
“Our Air Force has repelled the seven-hour threat. So far, we’ve heard two explanations from the Russian government: drones accidentally flew across the border, and it’s impossible for Russian drones to fly that far.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense said last week it had a strike against Ukraine overnight on Wednesday. “The targets on Polish territory are not planned for destruction,” he said, and said the drones used in Ukraine had a flight range of less than 700 kilometers (435 miles).
In addition to the invasion of Poland, several days later, Romania scrambled the fighter planes after a Russian drone violated the airspace on Saturday.
