Polish military says suspected Belarus-linked weather balloons enter airspace again

Objects believed to be meteorological balloons originating from Belarus entered Polish airspace overnight, Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command said on February 4.

Military radar systems detected several balloon-like aerial objects during the night of February 3–4, the command said in a post on X.

Polish forces monitored the objects, which did not pose a threat to air traffic or civilian safety, the statement added.

There was no immediate comment from Belarus.

NATO members are raising security concerns after a growing number of balloons believed to originate from Belarus crossed into the airspace of Poland and Lithuania, sometimes forcing temporary airport closures.

Lithuanian authorities said dozens of balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes were detected entering the country in recent days, disrupting air traffic in the capital, Vilnius. Poland also reported similar incursions along its eastern border.

Officials in both countries warn that while the balloons are mainly used for cigarette smuggling, they could pose wider security risks. Some analysts say the incidents may form part of broader “hybrid” tactics aimed at testing NATO’s response capabilities and creating disruption without direct military confrontation.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski accused Belarus of conducting hostile activities, while Lithuanian officials said the flights raise fears that other, more dangerous items could be transported in the future.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is closely monitoring the situation and expressed solidarity with affected member states.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has previously been accused by Western countries of using unconventional methods, including migration pressure and cyber operations, to destabilise neighbouring European Union and NATO countries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev