Poland scrambled military aircraft early Tuesday after Russian missile strikes targeted western Ukraine, escalating tensions near NATO borders. The Operational Command confirmed F-16 jets were deployed for four hours as ground-based defense systems reached full readiness. No airspace violations were detected during the heightened alert.
This marks the third incident since 2022 where Polish security forces responded to spillover from Ukraine's war. A 2022 misfired Ukrainian missile killed two civilians in eastern Poland, while Russian cruise missiles briefly entered Polish airspace in December 2023.
Every day, our people stand against aerial terror,Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared on social media during Saturday's record 267-drone assault.
Key developments shaping the crisis:
- NATO members Romania and Latvia report similar airspace violations
- Western Ukraine remains under constant air raid alerts
- Polish radar systems now monitor Ukraine 24/7
Analysts warn the Russian missile strikes near Lviv create complex challenges for NATO's eastern flank. Poland's armed forces maintain readiness levels not seen since Cold War-era drills, with defense spending now at 4% of GDP – double NATO's minimum requirement.
The Operational Command emphasized all actions aimed to ensure safety in border regions while avoiding direct confrontation. As Ukraine enters its fourth year of conflict, neighboring states face growing pressure to balance humanitarian support with regional security priorities.
