Poland extends drone flight ban along Ukraine and Belarus borders

Key facts

• Poland extended a temporary ban on civilian drone flights along sections of its borders with Ukraine and Belarus.
• The restriction targets unauthorised UAS in designated border zones while allowing exemptions for authorised military, police and emergency operations.
• The measure reflects growing European counter‑UAS and border-security measures, and raises operational and legal questions for civil operators.

2 minute read

Poland has extended a temporary ban on civilian drone flights along parts of its eastern border with Ukraine and Belarus, citing heightened security risks. Authorities present the extension as a preventive measure intended to limit unauthorised surveillance, smuggling and accidental incidents that could aggravate tensions in a sensitive frontier region. The prohibition applies to civilian unmanned aerial systems within defined border zones, while exemptions are typically in place for military, law enforcement and authorised emergency flights.

The policy is consistent with a broader European trend of tightening counter‑UAS rules near conflict‑affected boundaries. Enforcement will likely involve border guards, police and military assets, and could include fines, confiscation or criminal penalties for serious breaches. For operators—commercial, humanitarian and recreational—the most immediate needs are clear, accessible maps, timely NOTAMs and straightforward exemption procedures to avoid inadvertent violations.

Beyond immediate enforcement, the extension surfaces governance questions: the geographic and temporal clarity of restrictions, appeals or review mechanisms, and coordination with NATO and EU partners to prevent interference with allied operations. Effective communication from aviation authorities and cross‑border coordination will be crucial to balance legitimate security concerns with civil liberties and operational continuity.

Source: TVP World