Polish military tracks suspected smuggling balloons crossing from Belarus

Polish military and border authorities said that several balloon-like objects entered the country’s airspace overnight from February 15 to 16, 2026, in what officials believe were likely smuggling attempts originating from Belarus.

In a statement, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland said military radar systems detected further incursions into Polish airspace by objects approaching from the direction of Belarus. The objects were continuously tracked and remained under the supervision of military reconnaissance systems, Caliber.Az reports. 

W nocy z 15 na 16 lutego 2026 r. wojskowe systemy radiolokacyjne odnotowały kolejne wloty w polską przestrzeń powietrzną obiektów o charakterze balonów z kierunku Białorusi.

Obiekty były na bieżąco identyfikowane i pozostawały pod nadzorem wojskowych systemów rozpoznania.… pic.twitter.com/JqQr0KW1OJ

— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) February 16, 2026

Authorities stressed that the situation was under control and posed no threat to civil aviation or to the public. According to the military, the incidents did not differ from similar cases recently recorded along the Polish-Belarusian border.

The military said it is acting in accordance with established procedures and is cooperating with state security services. It is providing ongoing information to enable a rapid response, including the potential interception of objects and the detention of individuals suspected of involvement.

Separately, the Polish Border Guard confirmed that objects were observed crossing into Poland from Belarus during the same night. The agency said the movement of the objects was monitored in coordination with the military’s operational command.

W nocy z 15 na 16 lutego 2026 roku zaobserwowano obiekty, które wleciały do Polski z kierunku Białorusi. Przemieszczanie się obiektów było monitorowane przez służby pozostające w stałym kontakcie z @DowOperSZ .

To prawdopodobnie balony przemytnicze. Trwają czynności mające na… pic.twitter.com/AgLzEKpr3x

— Straż Graniczna (@Straz_Graniczna) February 16, 2026

All activities at the border, authorities said, are being conducted within Poland’s integrated state protection system. Every reported breach or approach to the border zone is being verified by the relevant services.

Poland’s armed forces emphasised that they remain on round-the-clock operational readiness to protect the country’s airspace.

By Sabina Mammadli