Ukrainian man to be deported from Poland after flying drone over presidential palace

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Ukrainian man will be deported from Poland after he flew a drone over the presidential palace in Warsaw, broadcaster TVP World reported on Wednesday, citing the Interior Ministry.

Polish Border Guard has begun proceedings to deport a Ukrainian citizen after he flew a drone on Monday over the Belweder Palace, the presidential residence in Warsaw, and nearby government buildings.

State Protection Service neutralized the drone and detained the 21-year-old Ukrainian man along with a 17-year-old Belarusian woman.

The man pleaded guilty, agreed to a 4,000-zloty ($1,100) fine, and accepted a court settlement after being charged with operating a drone in a restricted zone.

In the meantime, the Belarusian citizen was treated as a witness and later released.

Poland’s Internal Security Agency inspected both individuals' phones to see if the flight was connected to espionage, but investigators found no evidence of foreign intelligence involvement.

Polish security services remain on high alert following the recent suspected Russian drone incursion in the region.

Last week, Poland said that at least 19 drones crossed into Polish airspace when Russia was attacking Ukraine. Russia, however, said the incursion was not deliberate.