Poland is ready to shoot down objects in its airspace, Prime Minister Donald Tusk says

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would not hesitate to shoot down any object that violates its airspace. However, he stressed the need for caution in cases where the situation is not clear-cut.

Tusk said on Monday that Poland is ready to use force against objects that clearly violate its airspace. "We decide to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland - there is absolutely no discussion about that," he told a news conference, according to Reuters.

However, he also pointed out that not all incidents are clear-cut and the response must be appropriate to the circumstances. As an example, he mentioned the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic oil platform in the Baltic Sea. According to Tusk, this was not a violation because it was outside Polish territorial waters.

"When we are faced with situations that are not entirely clear, like the recent flight of Russian jets over the Petrobaltic platform - but without violation because it is not our territorial waters - you really need to think twice before deciding on an action that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict," said the Prime Minister.

Tusk also stressed the importance of allied support in the event of an escalation. "I must be absolutely certain that all our allies will judge this situation exactly as we do," he said, referring to the need for a unified approach within NATO.

The Prime Minister's statement came after several incidents that Poland has experienced in recent weeks. In the first half of September, the Polish armed forces shot down several allegedly Russian drones that penetrated its airspace. According to the Ministry of Defence, more than 20 machines were involved, some of which were destroyed directly over Polish territory.

The Polish government has long warned of increased Russian aircraft and drone activity near the border. Prime Minister Tusk has therefore stressed that Poland will continue to defend its airspace and act clearly in cases where it is violated, while reacting with greater caution in controversial incidents.

gnews.cz - GH