Weather balloons from Belarus enter Poland’s airspace again

Polish military forces detected new violations of the country’s airspace by weather balloons launched from Belarus overnight.

The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command posted on X that military radar systems tracked several aerial objects entering from Belarus on the night of February 17, which appeared to resemble balloons, Caliber.Az reports.

“The objects were continuously identified and monitored by military intelligence systems. The situation was controlled and did not pose a threat to air traffic safety or the citizens of the Republic of Poland,” the Operational Command said.

Officials noted that the incidents were consistent with previous incursions along the Poland-Belarus border.

“The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, acting under existing procedures, cooperates with state security services, promptly providing information necessary for rapid response—including interception of objects and detention of individuals suspected of involvement in these incidents,” the statement added.

Operowanie wojskowego lotnictwa w polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej, związane z uderzeniami Federacji Rosyjskiej na Ukrainę, zostało zakończone. Uruchomione naziemne systemy obrony powietrznej oraz rozpoznania radiolokacyjnego powróciły do standardowej działalności operacyjnej.… pic.twitter.com/IITwaMTa3C

— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) February 17, 2026

Poland has reported numerous recent incidents in which objects, widely assessed by its military as balloons likely used by smugglers, crossed into its airspace from Belarus, prompting temporary civilian flight restrictions and ongoing monitoring by radar and security forces.

Authorities have linked these balloon entries to broader “hybrid pressure” along Poland’s eastern border, viewing them as part of a pattern that includes smuggling and potential provocations rather than direct military threats.

By Jeyhun Aghazada