NATO Ally Scrambles Fighter Jets as Russia Strikes Near Border
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NATO member Poland has scrambled combat aircraft due to the threat posed to its airspace by long-range Russian strikes on Ukraine, it said on Saturday.
Poland's Armed Forces said fighter jets were deployed and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems placed on high alert due to overnight Russian strikes on western Ukraine, which borders the alliance member.
Newsweek has contacted the Polish Armed Forces and the Russian defense ministry by email for comment.
This image from August 15, 2024 shows Polish Air Force F-16 fighters taking part in a military parade in Warsaw on Polish Army Day.
This image from August 15, 2024 shows Polish Air Force F-16 fighters taking part in a military parade in Warsaw on Polish Army Day.Why It Matters
Poland's deployment of aircraft comes as NATO members near Russia have expressed alarm about Moscow flying jets close to the alliance's borders.
This has raised tensions and added to concerns about Russian hybrid warfare tactics.
What To Know
Polish military aircraft were deployed and air defense forces put on full alert due to "long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, which strikes at objects located, in particular, in the west of Ukraine," Poland's Armed Forces said early on Saturday morning in a post on X. The post did not specify which type of aircraft were involved.
This followed Russia's latest large-scale air attack on the western and central regions of Ukraine overnight.
In the city of Lviv near the Polish border, an 11-year-old boy was among six people injured in the Russian strikes, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytsky.
The Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday at least 13 civilians were killed and 46 injured across seven regions in the previous 24 hours. The casualties came after Russia launched 623 aerial weapons, including Shahed-type drones, decoy drones and 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles, it added.
Poland's scrambling of aircraft comes amid heightened tensions across the alliance's eastern flank over Russia's aggression. It follows another NATO member, Romania, announcing it would implement an Iron Dome defense system similar to that used by Israel.
Romanian defense minister Ionuț Moșteanu told Romanian television a deal with manufacturer Rafael would be finalized this year "to defend our cities."
Missiles and drone debris from the war in Ukraine have been landing in Romania and, while there is no proof these are launched at the country deliberately, the incidents are testing NATO's resolve.
Roger Hilton, defense research fellow at the Slovakia-based think tank GLOBSEC, earlier told Newsweek that as NATO allies delivered on their pledges to spend 3.5 percent of GDP on core capabilities, similar air defense system announcements to improve air protection in the area were likely.
What People Are Saying
Poland's Armed Forces, on X, according to a translation: "Due to Russia's long-range aviation which has conducted strikes on targets located in western Ukraine and elsewhere, Polish and allied aviation have begun operations in Polish airspace."
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky: "More air defense systems are needed, along with investments in interceptor drones, which are already delivering good results."
What Happens Next
Russia is likely to continue to maintain its drone and missile strikes across Ukraine as Zelensky steps up his calls for Kyiv's allies to increase air defense capabilities, analysts say.
Meanwhile, Germany announced on Friday it would send Ukraine hundreds of its long-range weapon systems by the end of July, under a German-financed agreement.
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