Poland reacts to Russian missile strike on Ukraine, sends fighters to border

7 months ago 30

Poland responded to Russia’s massive missile attack on Ukraine early Sunday morning by sending its fighter jets to its border with Ukraine, the Polish armed forces confirmed.

The Russian army launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine early Sunday morning, close to the Polish border. The Ukrainian Air Force warned of the activity of Tu-95MS aircraft, as well as missiles toward Lviv from the northeast and a group of missiles in the territory of Ternopil region, heading towards Ivano-Frankivsk.

“All necessary procedures have been initiated to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, and the Air Operations Center is constantly monitoring the situation,” the Polish Armed Forces wrote on X.

The Polish army said that Polish and allied aircraft were flying in Polish airspace, which could have led to increased noise levels, especially in the country’s southeast.

Two hours after the first announcement, another came, saying that with the threat of missile strikes in Ukraine diminished, “air operations in Polish airspace have been terminated, and the deployed forces and resources have returned to normal operational activities”.

The army’s announcement was aimed at preventing undue anxiety and panic, including among people on their way to traditional Resurrection Masses, which begin in most churches at around 6 AM, the time of the air raid.

“Despite the holiday period, it was another night of heightened readiness of Polish systems and intensive service of Polish soldiers, who continuously monitor the situation on Ukrainian territory and remain on constant alert to ensure the safety of Polish airspace,” the Armed Forces stated in its announcement.

(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)