Poland Scrambles Military Aircraft Amid Russian Strikes on Ukraine

London, United Kingdom — Poland activated its military aviation early Tuesday morning in response to Russian missile strikes targeting western Ukraine. According to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, the operation came in the wake of increased activity from long-range aviation of the Russian Federation.

In a statement posted on X, the command noted, “Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on objects located in western Ukraine, military aviation has begun operating in Polish airspace.” The initiation of these operations began shortly after the first reports of drone and missile attacks were made known.

The operational commander mobilized all available forces and resources, elevating the readiness of ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance units. The command emphasized that these steps were taken to ensure the safety of areas bordering the threatened regions.

“The Operational Command of the Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, and its subordinate forces and resources remain in full readiness for immediate responses,” the statement continued.

After about four hours, the Polish military stood down, as there was “no violation of the airspace of the Republic of Poland” reported. The Polish Armed Forces reassured that they are continuously monitoring the situation in Ukraine and maintaining a state of readiness to secure Polish airspace.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 213 drones and seven missiles into Ukrainian territory, shooting down six missiles and 133 drones. Air raid alerts were issued across western Ukraine and much of the country in the early hours.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, “Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,” highlighting the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces as it nears the fourth year of its defensive war. This weekend, the Ukrainian air force confirmed that Russia executed its largest drone strike to date.

Concerns surrounding potential conflict expansion due to airspace violations remain high. In the past, Russian and Ukrainian projectiles have crossed into Polish airspace, leading to incidents, including a 2022 case where two individuals were killed due to a misfired Ukrainian missile.

Poland has previously summoned the Russian charge d’affaires to address such violations, and NATO allies, including Romania and Latvia, have reported similar airspace infringements by Russian drones.

In light of these tensions, Poland is underway with the East Shield initiative, which aims to reinforce military readiness along its eastern border, established as the largest operation to enhance security since 1945.

The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces outlined that this operation focuses on building fortifications, anti-drone systems, and supporting local infrastructure improvements. Despite the ongoing conflicts, Poland has announced it does not intend to deploy troops to Ukraine after a potential ceasefire but will continue offering financial and humanitarian assistance.