Czech military sending special helicopter unit to Poland

A Czech special operations helicopter unit, equipped with three Mi-171Š aircraft, will arrive in Poland within hours, Defense Minister Jana Černochová (Spolu) announced on Sunday. Up to 150 Czech soldiers are expected to take part in the mission, which is planned for a maximum of three months. It should start operating within days.

The deployment comes at Poland’s request after Warsaw reported 19 violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones on Wednesday. While U.S. President Donald Trump described the incident as a possible mistake, leaders in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Ukraine spoke of deliberate Russian provocation. NATO has responded by strengthened defenses along its eastern border.