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Czech Helicopters Arrive in Poland to Hunt Russian Drones Along NATO’s Eastern Flank
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Czechia has deployed military helicopters to Poland to strengthen airspace security along NATO’s eastern flank following recent Russian drone incursions.
According to the Czech Armed Forces, three helicopters arrived in Poland on September 14–15 and will soon begin missions to support Poland’s air defense.
“Today three helicopters from Czechia arrived in Poland to reinforce the protection of the airspace on the eastern border of our close ally,” the army said in a statement on X. The Polish General Staff confirmed the deployment.
The aircraft are from the 22nd Helicopter Air Base, which operates Soviet-designed Mi-171s alongside newer American-made AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y utility helicopters.
While the Czech military did not specify which models were dispatched, official photographs showed a Mi-171. The Ministry of Defense previously highlighted the AH-1Z and UH-1Y as part of its modernization program.
The mission’s duration and exact scope remain undisclosed. Analysts note that Czech crews may adopt Ukraine’s combat-tested methods of intercepting drones with onboard weapons, as well as conducting search operations for downed UAVs.
The deployment is part of NATO’s broader “Eastern Sentry” mission, initiated after Poland invoked Article 4 of the Washington Treaty on September 10.
The move followed a large-scale drone violation of Polish airspace, when 19 Russian UAVs were recorded crossing from Belarus. Several were shot down, and debris from one drone struck a residential building in Lublin Voivodeship. No casualties were reported.
Earlier, The Guardian reported on September 12 that Germany expanded its air policing operations over Poland in response to Russian drone incursions, with Eurofighter units placed on 24/7 readiness to monitor the airspace, according to the German defense ministry.
