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Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russia strikes Ukraine

18.09.2026 09:45
Poland scrambled fighter jets and put its air defence systems on alert as Russia launched a massive air attack on neighbouring Ukraine on Friday morning, officials said.
Image:
Image:Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces

The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said it had deployed "all necessary forces and resources at its disposal" as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of Polish airspace ​amid ‌Russian attacks ​on ‌Ukraine.

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

Military aircraft were activated, the Operational Command said in a statement, adding that measures were taken to ensure security in areas near the Ukrainian border.

"Ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance have been placed on alert," the army said ​on its social media channels.

At around 9 a.m., the Operational Command said the threat of Russian strikes on regions bordering Poland had decreased and that military aircraft were returning to base.

"Activated ​ground-based air defence ‌and ‌radar reconnaissance systems have ⁠returned to standard operational activities," it said.

It reported no violations of Polish airspace during the attacks.

Polish airports ‌in Lublin and ‌Rzeszów temporarily ​suspended flight operations due to the ​activation of military aircraft, ⁠the Polish ​Air ​Navigation ​Services Agency (PANSA) ​said on ‌X.

The two airports in eastern Poland later resumed flights, the air traffic authority said.

Russia launched a new wave of air strikes on Ukraine on Friday morning, striking targets across the country, according to reports.

(gs)

Source: IAR/PAP