Poland Neutralizes Drone Over Government Buildings, Detains Two Belarusians

Polish authorities have neutralized a drone operating over government buildings in Warsaw, including the Belweder Palace, and detained two Belarusian citizens in connection with the incident. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the operation on Monday, stating that the State Protection Service (SOP) took action after observing the drone over sensitive locations.

"The SOP has just neutralized a drone flying over government buildings (on Parkowa Street) and the Belweder Palace. Two Belarusians have been detained. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident," Tusk wrote on X.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions following a series of airspace violations. On September 10, Poland reported that 19 Russian drones entered its airspace, prompting the military to shoot down those posing a direct threat.

In response to these incursions, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced the launch of the "Eastern Sentry" mission on September 12, aimed at bolstering defenses on the alliance's eastern flank. Rutte emphasized the increasing frequency of such violations, noting that drones have also breached airspace in Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

"While this was the largest concentration of violations of NATO airspace that we have seen, what happened on Wednesday was not an isolated incident," Rutte said. "Russia's recklessness in the air along our eastern flank is increasing in frequency. We have seen drones violate our airspace in Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Whether intentional or not, it is dangerous."

The "Eastern Sentry" mission has received support from Denmark, France, the U.K., and Germany, which have offered fighter jets, ships, and air defense systems to strengthen the alliance's eastern defenses.