Poland has deployed fighter jets and placed its air defenses on alert. Prime Minister Donald Tusk calls this a"preventive operation" by its own and allied armed forces. A drone also entered Romanian airspace.
In Poland, fighter jets took to the skies due to the threat of a Russian drone attack on neighboring regions of Ukraine. According to the Polish Army Command in Warsaw, ground-based air defense systems were also placed on high alert this afternoon.
In Poland, fighter jets from Poland's own and allied air forces are now patrolling the airspace in the east of the country. The aircraft are participating in an operation near the border with Ukraine to ensure Poland's security, the Operational Command explains."These measures are preventive in nature and aimed at securing the airspace and protecting citizens, especially in the areas adjacent to the threatened area," it states.
Such measures are not unusual, but they are currently receiving special attention due to the incident involving suspected Russian drones on Polish territory last week.
Tusk speaks of preventive operation
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on X:"Due to the threat posed by Russian drones operating over Ukraine near the Polish border, a preventive operation by the air forces, both Polish and allied, has begun." According to the PAP news agency, Lublin airport was temporarily closed to civil air traffic due to the military activity.
On the night of Wednesday, several Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Russia stated that it was not targeting Poland.
Drones also in Romanian airspace
However, Poland has since received increased support from NATO allies. Operation"Eastern Sentry" (literally "Guardian of the East") was launched for this purpose. Poland has long deployed fighter jets during every major attack on western Ukraine.
Romania is sending fighter jets into the country's airspace because of a drone. The Ministry of Defense announced that the drone entered the country near the border during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure. Two F-16 jets tracked the aircraft until it disappeared from radar. There was no immediate threat to the population.
