Since Friday, flight restrictions on drones have been in effect near the Polish-German border. This information was announced on Saturday by the Polish Police. Strikingly, the introduction of these regulations coincided with the Border Defense Movement’s purchase of such equipment. Internet users have no doubt that the authorities’ actions are driven by motives other than public safety.
Starting July 7, temporary controls will be introduced on the border with Germany. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, this is meant to reduce the influx of illegal migrants from the West into Poland. However, many commentators believe the true goal is something else entirely — to limit the presence of the Border Defense Movement at border crossings. Activists from this group have been publicizing incidents in which foreign nationals are reportedly transported into Poland by German services.
Drone Purchase
On July 3, the founder of the Movement, Robert Bąkiewicz, announced that the group was intensifying its operations. Thanks to financial support, they managed to acquire, among other things, 20 radio stations, trail cameras, body cameras, binoculars, and two specialized drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.
“Thanks to your support, the border will be even better protected!” — he wrote on the X platform, adding that the new equipment was scheduled for deployment the very next day, Friday.
Drone Ban
Coincidentally, starting on that Friday, drone flights near the border were… restricted. This was announced via the official account of the Polish Police. The restrictions are to remain in force until Saturday, though the statement notes that they may be extended. Interestingly, the post announcing the ban had its comment section disabled.
Nonetheless, users were still able to share the announcement, which helped it gain significant traction online. Those commenting on it via X are convinced that the authorities’ move is not a response to illegal migration, but rather an attempt to suppress the actions of border defenders. Among those who responded was Robert Bąkiewicz himself.
“Polish Police — this is a scandal. At a time when our drones, acting preventively, reduce migrant smuggling and monitor the hands of an incompetent government that fails to protect us from the German threat — you ban our actions. So who are you really serving?
Furthermore, we inform you that German service drones are still flying over Polish airspace,” — he wrote.