Poland threatens to shoot down airspace violators

Poland's foreign minister warns of downing missiles and aircraft that violate its airspace, whether intentional or accidental.

"If any more missiles or aircraft violate our airspace, whether accidentally or intentionally, please don't come here complaining when they are shot down and the debris falls on NATO territory," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on 22/9.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the same day declared that Warsaw would "shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland," emphasizing that this is "not a matter for discussion."

Patriot missile launchers at a base near Zamosc, Poland in 7/2023. Photo: Reuters

Patriot missile launchers at a base near Zamosc, Poland in 7/2023. Photo: Reuters

The emergency Security Council meeting was held at Estonia's request to discuss the alleged "Russian MiG-31 fighter jet airspace violation" on 19/9.

The Estonian military previously accused Russian MiG-31 aircraft of entering the country's airspace for 12 minutes without permission. According to Estonia, the incident occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland. The Russian fighter jet allegedly turned off its transponder and did not file a flight plan.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna presented data extracted from air defense radar, emphasizing that the Russian fighter jet "violated Estonian territory and sovereignty." Tsahkna also displayed a close-up image of the MiG-31, seemingly taken from a NATO fighter jet, which showed the Russian aircraft equipped with an R-73 short-range air-to-air missile.

Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyansky reiterated the Russian Ministry of Defense's statement that the MiG-31s on 19/9 were conducting a planned transfer from Karelia to a base in the Kaliningrad exclave. He asserted that tracking data showed the formation strictly adhered to the rules for using international airspace and "did not violate the borders of other countries."

"As usual, there is no evidence other than anti-Russian hysteria from Estonia," Polyansky said.

Foreign Minister Tsahkna holds a photo of the Russian MiG-31 fighter jet during the Security Council meeting on 22/9. Photo: AP

Foreign Minister Tsahkna holds a photo of the Russian MiG-31 fighter jet during the Security Council meeting on 22/9. Photo: AP

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described these as "very dangerous and reckless actions." "We are ready to take all necessary measures to protect NATO territory. If we need to confront aircraft operating illegally in NATO airspace, we will," she said.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz sought to reassure NATO allies at the meeting, stating that "the US and its allies will defend every inch of the alliance's territory" and urged Russia to "immediately cease such behavior."

A week before Estonia's accusation, Polish officials reported that at least 19 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) entered Polish airspace during a Russian attack on western Ukraine. The Polish military and NATO allies downed at least 4 UAVs, while the others crashed after running out of fuel.

The Russian Ministry of Defense maintained that it only targeted locations within Ukraine and not Poland, and expressed its willingness to consult with Warsaw on the matter.