Incursions of weather balloons carrying contraband from Belarus are part of hybrid actions, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said at a press conference.
“The goal is twofold. The goal is provocative and smuggling-related. This is a hybrid war that, on the one hand, combines profit for a certain group that has likely received a concession for smuggling from Belarusian services, and on the other hand seeks to destabilize the situation and sow disorder,” he said.
The minister also noted that Polish border guards and police are effectively intercepting contraband and detaining smugglers. He also drew attention to the fact that airborne smuggling has caused greater damage to Lithuania due to disruptions to flights at Vilnius airport.
“Over the past week, the police and the Border Guard have achieved very impressive results, for which we are very grateful, while the military are keeping records and monitoring everything that is happening. The nature of these actions is twofold: smuggling and provocation,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the command of the Polish Armed Forces again reported a violation of the country’s airspace by weather balloons carrying contraband. Police and border guards have not yet reported finding them on the ground. In February, incidents involving such balloons have been occurring quite frequently in Poland.