On Monday, August 26, early in the morning, an unidentified aerial object entered Polish airspace. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces was ready to neutralize the object if necessary, assured the spokesperson for the commander, Lt. Col. Jacek Goryszewski. The signal was lost after about half an hour. The Operational Command also issued a statement explaining why they did not decide to shoot down the object. "Unfortunately, due to the prevailing weather conditions, it was not possible to clearly identify it, which made it impossible to make the decision to shoot it down" - the statement read.
Unidentified Object Over Poland. Tusk: Sometimes It's a Matter of Split Seconds
During a press conference on Wednesday, August 28, Donald Tusk addressed the issue of the object that entered Polish airspace on Monday.
"I am open, and we can immediately change the regulations if there are indeed any that hinder a quick response" - said the Prime Minister in response to media comments from military personnel about problems with regulations regarding the shooting down of objects that violate Polish airspace. However, he emphasized that in the case of Monday's incident in the Lublin region, "there is no confirmation".
Right now, nearly 400 soldiers are searching 24/7 for traces of this drone or drones, but there is still no hundred percent certainty that they entered Polish airspace. We don't know whose they were, if they even existed
- he added. "The problem with shooting down often has a different nature. Sometimes it's a matter of split seconds, which makes it impossible to check whether it's a civilian object or a lost plane" - Tusk explained. He then added that restraint in approaching such incidents is "recommended by allies".
If there is no direct threat to the life, health of citizens, and it is not an attack, aggression, then I greatly value such a reasonable and balanced approach from our military. They don't want to open fire on everything that moves somewhere. Feel safer because of this. I have full trust in the military responsible for these matters
- he emphasized.
Drone Entered Poland? Search Continues in Lublin Region
The search for the object that entered Polish airspace on Monday is ongoing in the Lublin region. "Yesterday, we searched 800 hectares. We hope to cover even more ground today as more people are involved. We will support the search from the air, involving helicopters and drones. We will also use satellite images" - reported Lt. Col. Jacek Goryszewski, spokesperson for the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, on TVN24. The operation involves soldiers from the Territorial Defense Forces and officers from uniformed services.
