Poland Deploys Fighter Jets as Russia Launches Massive Strikes on Western Ukraine
"Due to the intensive air attack by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft began to operate in Polish airspace in the morning," Warsaw's Operational Command announced in a statement.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Poland scrambled fighter jets early Monday in response to major Russian airstrikes on western Ukraine, as Moscow launched what local officials described as one of the largest attacks on the region since the war began, according to AFP.
"Due to the intensive air attack by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft began to operate in Polish airspace in the morning," Warsaw's Operational Command announced in a statement shared on social media.
The aerial response came as Russia struck far beyond the frontlines overnight, unleashing waves of missiles and drones across western Ukraine. Rivne Mayor Oleksandr Tretyak described it as "the largest attack" on the region to date.
The strikes mark a sharp escalation in Moscow’s offensive, undermining recent diplomatic efforts aimed at ending what has become Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
Poland, a NATO member and one of Ukraine’s most steadfast allies, plays a vital role in coordinating and channeling Western military aid to Kyiv. The heightened alert underscores the growing regional security risks as the war grinds on into its third year.
Monday's scramble is the latest in a series of airspace security incidents involving Poland. In March 2024, Warsaw reported a breach by a Russian cruise missile and demanded an explanation from Moscow. A similar incursion occurred in December 2023, when a Russian missile entered Polish airspace for several minutes before veering back into Ukrainian territory.
As tensions rise, NATO’s eastern flank remains on high alert, with member states reaffirming their commitment to defending allied airspace and deterring any spillover from the conflict.
