Poland and other countries on the border with Ukraine are obligated to shoot down Russian missiles before they enter their airspace, said Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Sikorski explained that Poland is required to ensure the safety of its citizens, despite concerns that shooting down missiles over Ukrainian territory might draw NATO into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “NATO membership does not override each country’s responsibility to protect its own airspace; it is our constitutional duty. Personally, I believe that when hostile missiles are on a path to enter our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defense [to shoot them down] because once they enter our airspace, the risk of debris causing harm is significant,” said the Polish minister.
Most people in Poland believe that the Polish military should shoot down objects flying over Polish territory during Russian attacks on Ukraine, even if they are unsure what the objects are.
After a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on the morning of August 26, Poland reported that its airspace had been breached by an “aerial object,” likely a kamikaze drone.
General Maciej Klisz, Commander of the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, stated that judging by its trajectory, speed, and altitude, the object was definitely not a missile and was very likely a drone.
