WARSAW, Poland — For the third consecutive night, Polish authorities have documented unauthorized balloon incursions originating from Belarus, marking a significant escalation in hybrid operations along the EU’s eastern frontier. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command characterized these events as deliberate attempts by Minsk to test Warsaw’s aerial defense readiness and reconnaissance capabilities.
Military spokesperson Jacek Goryszewski revealed that balloon-related incidents have surged dramatically in early 2026 compared to the same period last year. While the exact motivation remains unclear, officials suggest the increase could stem from either political directives within the Belarusian government or sophisticated adaptation by criminal smuggling networks evading enhanced border security measures.
Although the Polish military maintains these aerial violations pose no direct threat to national airspace security, temporary flight restrictions have been imposed over the Podlaskie region bordering Belarus as a precautionary measure. The Belarusian embassy in Warsaw has not responded to requests for commentary regarding these allegations.
This development occurs within the broader context of what NATO members Poland and Lithuania describe as coordinated hybrid warfare tactics employed by Belarus and its ally Russia. These tactics previously included manufacturing migration crises, alleged sabotage operations, and systematic espionage activities targeting Western nations.
The balloon incidents follow earlier security breaches including Russian drone penetrations of Polish airspace in September and a November explosion on passenger rail infrastructure that Warsaw attributes to Moscow. Lithuanian authorities faced similar aerial provocations in December when meteorological balloons from Belarus forced repeated shutdowns of Vilnius International Airport, creating massive travel disruptions that officials labeled as deliberate hybrid attacks.