Poland scrambles jets amid Russian drone attack on Ukraine, explosions heard near border
Poland scrambled fighter jets on 17 September after Russian attack drones were detected flying over Ukraine's west.
Source: European Pravda, citing Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on X (Twitter); Ukrainska Pravda sources in Ukrainian law enforcement agencies
Details: The Polish military said that, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine's western regions, the Command deployed the necessary assets and personnel at its disposal in accordance with established procedures.
"Military aircraft began operating in Polish airspace," it said.
"Ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on alert," the Command added.
According to the Polish military, the measures are preventive and aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of Polish airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to the threat zones.
"Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, while subordinate assets and personnel are prepared to respond immediately," the military concluded.
Ukrainska Pravda sources in Ukrainian law enforcement agencies reported explosions several kilometres from the border with Poland in Volyn Oblast.
Background:
- On 15 September, a drone, likely a Russian Gerbera UAV, was detected off the coast of Poland in the Baltic Sea.
- On the morning of 16 September, an air-raid warning was issued in Polish border areas due to jet-powered UAVs over Ukraine's west, and Rzeszów and Lublin airports suspended operations.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to improve border traffic flow with Ukraine to prevent vehicle congestion which could become a target for Russian attacks. The authorities also plan to reinforce security at border checkpoints.
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