The Polish army announced on Saturday that Poland has started preventive military aviation operations to protect its airspace amid ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine.
The military also put ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems on alert as part of measures to monitor potential threats and defend Polish airspace, the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command said.
The strikes come as Russian attacks continue on western Ukraine, including areas near the border with Poland. Poland has scrambled its military aircraft in recent days in response to strikes by Russian drones.
On Friday, Polish fighter jets were deployed and air defence systems placed on heightened readiness as Russia carried out a large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine. During the military activity, airports in Rzeszow and Lublin temporarily stopped operating, according to Polish Radio. No reports of any breach of Polish airspace.
Polish authorities have in the past said such deployments were pre-emptive measures to protect the country’s airspace.
Poland, a member of NATO, has enhanced its air surveillance and defence readiness as Russian strikes have become more frequent near its eastern border.
