Poland responds with air defense as Russian missiles target western Ukraine
Poland scrambled military aircraft early Tuesday as NATO airspace security concerns grew amid Russia’s ongoing attacks. The Polish military monitored the situation for four hours before confirming no sky violations occurred.
Poland took swift defensive measures on Tuesday morning as heightened military activity unfolded near its border, prompting the country’s Operational Command to scramble defense aviation. The alert, which lasted approximately four hours, was triggered by Russia’s long-range aerial attacks, leading Polish forces to activate ground-based air protection systems and radar reconnaissance. Officials assured that national airspace remained secure despite the proximity of the strikes.
The incident underscores ongoing security risks for Eastern Europe as Russia continues its nightly air-based assaults on Ukraine. Kyiv territory’s air force reported that 213 drones and seven missiles were launched, with airborne protective structures successfully intercepting most threats. Meanwhile, past violations of territorial skies have raised tensions in the region, with Poland and neighboring allies, including Romania and Latvia, closely monitoring Russian strategic activity near their borders.
Why did Poland deploy fighter jets amid Russian strikes near its border?
Poland’s Armed Forces activated their defense systems and dispatched warplanes as Russian missile attacks targeted western Ukraine. “Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on objects located, among others, in western Ukraine, military aviation has begun operating in Polish airspace,” the Command stated. Operational Commander Lt. Gen. Maciej Klisz “activated all available forces and resources at his disposal, and ground-based air security and radar reconnaissance structures reached a state of readiness.” The heightened alert lasted about four hours before Poland confirmed that “no violation of the airspace of the Republic of Poland” had occurred.
This escalation follows previous incidents where missiles and drones from the Russia-Ukraine conflict briefly crossed into Polish territory. In 2022, a Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense projectile mistakenly struck eastern Poland, killing two people. More recently, in December 2023, Warsaw accused Moscow of violating its airspace and summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires for an explanation. “The steps taken are aimed at ensuring safety in areas bordering the threatened areas,” he stated. It added that it is “monitoring the current situation, and its subordinate forces and resources remain in full readiness for immediate response.”
How is Ukraine responding to escalating Russian air attacks?
Ukraine continues to endure relentless aerial assaults as Russian units escalate missile and drone strikes. This weekend, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted his country's resilience, stating “Every day, our people stand against aerial terror.” Saturday night saw one of the most intense raids yet, with Russia launching a record 267 drones into Ukrainian area, according to the country’s air force.
As the war enters another year, large-scale overnight incursions have become routine. Western Ukraine and several other regions were under air assault alerts early Tuesday, underscoring the sustained pressure from Moscow. Meanwhile, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies remain vigilant, closely monitoring their airspace and preparing for potential spillover effects from the conflict.