Poland eases rules to shoot down foreign aircraft

Poland will allow its fighter planes and helicopters to shoot down foreign aircraft detected by radar under special wartime defence measures, Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said Monday.

Tomczyk said the change would let a pilot or operational commander decide to shoot down a foreign aircraft based on radar readings or other information in the defence system. He said that would replace the usual peacetime rule requiring visual identification before opening fire.

Tomczyk said such powers are usually reserved for a state of war or martial law, but added that Poland faced the possibility of drones entering its territory “on a daily basis”.

The step comes as Poland, a NATO and EU member bordering Ukraine, has raised its defences during Russia's war in Ukraine. Polish officials have accused Russia of drone incursions, airspace violations and other “hybrid” provocations on Polish territory.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Russia's plans in the war against Ukraine included “hybrid” drone and missile strikes against Kyiv's allies, including Warsaw.