Poland detects object in its airspace that flew from Belarus, likely observation balloon

Poland’s Defense Ministry said Saturday that it detected a Belarus-bound object in Polish airspace, likely an observation balloon.

The ministry tweeted that radar contact with the object was lost in Rypin, central Poland, 143 kilometers (89) northwest of Warsaw.

Capt. Ewa Złotnicka, a press officer with the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, informed TVN24 that a helicopter, drone, and Territorial Defense Force ground troops searched Rypin.

Near Białowieża, near Poland’s Belarus border, the object was seen Friday about 8:30 p.m. In a phone interview with the private TV station, Złotnicka stated the item disappeared about 12:30 a.m. Saturday after radar surveillance.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland’s eastern neighbor, two other air incursions have been reported.

A missile in eastern Poland killed two Polish men in November. Western officials feared a Ukrainian air defense missile went astray while defending against a large-scale Russian attack.

Another object that fell on Polish territory in December was accidentally discovered in April by a horse rider in a woodland. Polish military and political authorities are now being questioned about it.

The battle in Ukraine has raised concerns about the government’s air defenses.

In late April, Andrzej Duda and Mateusz Morawiecki learned of the December airspace incursion.

The National Security Bureau, which advises the president on security and defense, said Friday that its chairman, Jacek Siewiera, and Duda were alerted on April 26 that the object “may be a Russian-made cruise missile.”

The airborne item location had no explosives, according to officials.

Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak blamed the operational commander of the armed forces for not telling political authorities of the object this week. Army leaders say they did their jobs.

The opposition wants Błaszczak fired over that.