Poland’s armed forces have scrambled aircraft in response to the threat posed by a combined drone and missile attack by Russian forces on Ukraine.
The NATO member said in a statement the aircraft were deployed overnight Sunday and air defense and radar reconnaissance systems had been placed on high alert.
Newsweek has contacted the Polish armed forces for further comment.
A Polish Air Force F-16 takes part in a NATO air policing mission on July 4, 2023.
A Polish Air Force F-16 takes part in a NATO air policing mission on July 4, 2023.
JOHN THYS/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Poland has now scrambled aircraft at least three times this month to counter the threat posed by Russian missile and drone strikes on neighboring Ukraine.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns from countries on NATO’s eastern flank about the risk of Russian attacks on Ukraine spilling over into the territory of alliance members.
What To Know
Russian forces conducted a combined attack on Ukraine overnight Sunday using drones and missiles, with explosions reported across the country, including in Kyiv.
Poland’s armed forces said in a statement that Polish and allied aircraft were consequently scrambled and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance system placed on the highest level of combat readiness.
The statement did not specify which other allied nation or nations were involved but last week Swedish aircraft stationed in Poland were scrambled following a similar Russian attack.
Sunday’s statement said that Polish armed forces were monitoring the situation and its forces and assets “remain fully ready to respond immediately.”
Ukrainian authorities said Monday that Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least four civilians and injured at least 40 over the previous day.
Russian forces launched 324 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones, four Kh-101 cruise missiles and three Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force.
A drone and missile attack on Kyiv injured at least eight people, including a three-year-old child, according to Kyiv City military administration head Tymur Tkachenko.
A Russian drone strike on a bus on Sunday killed three people and injured 19 near the village of Yunakivka in the Sumy region, about five miles from the border with Russia, according to regional authorities.
Elsewhere, at least nine explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi, the Kirovohrad regional governor Andrii Raikovych said.
Telegram monitoring channels reported Russian launches of Kinzhal missiles toward Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytskyi region, which hosts a Ukrainian Air Force air base.
Ukrainian authorities do not usually reveal details about Russian attacks on military and strategic targets and so any damage has not been verified.
What People Are Saying
Poland’s armed forces said, according to a translation: “To ensure the security of Polish airspace…Polish and allied aircraft on duty were scrambled, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on maximum alert.”
What Happens Next
Sunday’s attack comes days after Russia and Ukraine held their third round of peace talks in Istanbul on July 23, which did not result in any ceasefire agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday Russia must fulfill its war goals before renewing bilateral ties with Ukraine, suggesting Moscow has no intention of slowing down either on the battlefield or with its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.