Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russia rains missiles on Ukraine

Poland scrambled fighter jets and put its air defence systems on alert as Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine overnight into Friday, officials said.

The aftermath of a Russian missile attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, March 20, 2024.

Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV

The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said in a statement that "all necessary procedures have been initiated to ensure the safety of Polish airspace."

It added that it was "monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis."

The statement also said that "Polish and allied aircraft have been activated," cautioning the public of "increased noise levels, particularly in the southeast of the country."

Informujemy, że dzisiejszej nocy obserwowana jest intensywna aktywność lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, związana z uderzeniani rakietowymi samolotów Tu-95, Tu-22 oraz MIG-31 wykonywanymi na obiekty znajdujace się na terytorium Ukrainy.

Wszystkie niezbędne… pic.twitter.com/M0se909n2V

— Dowództwo Operacyjne (@DowOperSZ) March 22, 2024

The alert was in effect for about two hours, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Ze względu na zmniejszenie poziomu zagrożenia, operowanie polskiego i sojuszniczego lotnictwa w polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej zostało zakończone, a uruchomione siły i środki powróciły do standardowej działalności operacyjnej.#WojskoPolskie na bieżąco monitoruje sytuację na… pic.twitter.com/sV7MeZRjW2

— Dowództwo Operacyjne (@DowOperSZ) March 22, 2024

Russia launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities on Friday morning, according to officials.

❗️ Zelenskyy claimed 90 missiles and 60 kamikaze drones attacked Ukraine tonight and this morning

"During this night there were more than 60 "shaheds" and about 90 missiles of different types. The targets of Russian terrorists are seen by the whole world as clearly as possible:… pic.twitter.com/W2WRhZszJc

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 22, 2024

The attack left two civilians dead and at least 14 others injured, Ukrainian authorities said.

Klymenko: Two killed, eight injured in Khmelnytskyi following Russian attack #russiaisaterroriststatehttps://t.co/u3yMnCy40A

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) March 22, 2024

Rocket hits trolleybus with people moving along Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam #russiaisaterroriststatehttps://t.co/aTyp2BOle7

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) March 22, 2024

The strikes disrupted power supplies in some areas, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

‼️ Russia has carried out the most large-scale attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times - Energy Minister German Galushchenko

Details of the overnight missile attack:

▪️ There is a hit and damage to generation facilities, power transmission and distribution system… pic.twitter.com/RvoLDO3oO7

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 22, 2024

Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, which the Russians hit for the first time today, is Ukraine's most powerful hydroelectric power plant (1,569 MW)

The plant is part of the country's unified energy system and serves as a "peak regulator". It provides more than 10% of the daily… pic.twitter.com/HMhNWLxih0

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 22, 2024

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Friday is day 758 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP