Two arrested in Warsaw for drone violation over presidential palace

Polish police have released additional information about the detention of two individuals who flew a drone over Belvedere Palace, the official residence of the Polish president, as well as over a nearby government complex.

According to Russian media, Prime Minister Donald Tusk had earlier stated that two Belarusian citizens had been detained. However, Warsaw police later clarified that the detainees were a 21-year-old Ukrainian citizen and a 17-year-old Belarusian citizen.

“On Monday, State Security Service officers detained two people who were flying a drone in a restricted area without the required authorisation,” said Edita Adamus, spokeswoman for the Warsaw Police Headquarters. She added that the drone had been confiscated and that an investigation was underway under Article 212 of the Aviation Act.

Violation of aviation regulations under this article carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

“At this stage, the evidence and circumstances of the incident confirm a violation of aviation law, not espionage,” Piotr Antoni Skiba, a representative of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, told the Polish media.

The drone incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions following Russia’s large-scale drone attacks on Polish airspace on the night of September 10. According to Polish special services, 21 Russian drones crossed into Polish territory, with some shot down by Polish and NATO fighter jets. Several of the drones entered from Belarus, and debris damaged a residential building in the village of Wyryki, near the border with Belarus and Ukraine. No casualties were reported.

Warsaw accused Russia of deliberately targeting Poland and requested consultations with NATO allies under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the launch of Operation Eastern Guardian, aimed at protecting the alliance’s eastern members. The operation involves the participation of Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other allied forces.

On September 13, Polish and allied air force aircraft were again scrambled to intercept Russian UAVs threatening regions of Ukraine bordering Poland. The same day, Romania also deployed fighter jets after a Russian drone violated its airspace during attacks on Ukrainian territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova