Camilla Jessen
Lukashenko denies drones flying into Poland.
Belarus distances itself from drone incursions as NATO launches Operation Eastern Guard
Lukashenko Rejects Accusations
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has denied any involvement in the recent drone incursions into Polish and Lithuanian airspace.
Speaking at a state awards ceremony, Lukashenko stated, “We have nothing to do with anything that flies into Poland and Lithuania today. We calmly respond along the appropriate lines.”
Belarus Claims It Shot Down Unidentified Drones
Lukashenko added that Belarus had previously spent “enormous resources” shooting down about half of the drones flying toward Poland.
According to him, the Belarusian military had even notified Poland of the drones’ approach.
“We shot them down without knowing whose they were,” Lukashenko said, suggesting that both Russian and Ukrainian drones frequently enter Belarusian airspace.
Lukashenko: “They Howled” Despite Our Warning
Despite the warning, Lukashenko criticized Poland’s reaction to the incident.
“They howled because of the drones even after Minsk’s warning,” he said, implying that Poland may have ulterior motives.
“This means they have some plans. We must figure them out. And we must resist this. Without explaining anything to anyone.”
20 Drones Enter Poland
The drone incursions occurred on the night of September 10 during a major Russian air assault on Ukraine.
According to Polish authorities, around 20 drones—allegedly of Russian origin—entered Polish airspace.
NATO fighter jets were scrambled for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
Wreckage from 17 reconnaissance drones was later recovered.
Belarus Claims It Warned Warsaw
Pavel Muraveyko, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus, supported Lukashenko’s version of events.
He said that Belarus had informed Poland of the drone activity in advance, which allowed Warsaw to take swift defensive action.
Russia Also Denies Responsibility
Russia has also denied any involvement in the drone incident.
The Russian Chargé d’Affaires in Poland, Andrey Ordash, claimed there was no evidence linking the drones to Moscow.
“Russia is absolutely not interested in any escalation with Poland,” he said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense added that it “did not plan” to strike targets in Polish territory.
NATO Responds with Operation Eastern Guard
In reaction to the security breach, Poland activated Article 4 of the NATO Charter, which allows for consultations when a member state feels threatened.
On September 12, NATO launched Operation Eastern Guard to reinforce its eastern flank. Polish President Karol Nawrocki also signed off on a formal deployment of NATO troops in the country.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that “the line has been crossed,”
adding that Poland is now “closer to military conflict than at any time since World War II.”
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
