Warsaw: Poland placed its airspace on high alert early Tuesday, deploying Polish and allied military aircraft in response to Russia’s missile strikes on western Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces confirmed.
“The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the regions bordering the areas at risk,” the Command stated on X.
The escalation came as Ukraine was placed under nationwide air raid alerts from approximately 03:50 GMT, following warnings from its air force about an imminent Russian missile attack. In response, NATO-member Poland swiftly mobilized its aircraft to safeguard its airspace and monitor potential threats near its eastern borders.
Russian Airstrikes Leave Multiple Casualties, Widespread Damage Across Ukraine
A series of overnight Russian airstrikes left at least four people injured and caused significant damage to residential areas in multiple Ukrainian regions, local officials reported.
Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk confirmed that one woman sustained injuries in the attack, which also damaged 12 private homes.
In northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy region, two more people were wounded, while another woman was hospitalized after a strike on the central Zhytomyr region.
The Ukrainian military reported successfully intercepting six out of seven incoming missiles, along with 133 out of 213 drones. Additionally, 79 drones failed to reach their targets, mitigating the scale of destruction.
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Escalating Tensions and Regional Security Concerns
Poland’s decision to scramble its military aircraft underscores the growing security concerns among NATO members as Russia continues its large-scale aerial bombardment of Ukraine. The heightened alert status reflects broader fears of potential spillover effects from the conflict, especially in border regions.
As NATO closely monitors developments, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing assessments of the threat posed by Russian airstrikes near allied territories.
