WARSAW, Poland (AP) – On Saturday, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed in a "preventive" operation in Poland's airspace due to a potential threat posed by drone strikes in neighboring areas of Ukraine. Consequently, authorities announced the temporary closure of the airport in the eastern Polish city of Lublin.
The air alert lasted approximately two hours and followed an incident on Wednesday, wherein multiple Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace. This prompted NATO to respond by sending fighter jets to intercept and shoot down the drones, highlighting longstanding fears concerning the expansion of Russia's more than three-year conflict in Ukraine.
The Polish military’s operational command issued a statement on X, indicating that ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems were placed on high alert. They emphasized that the actions taken were preventive, designed to secure Poland’s airspace and safeguard the well-being of Polish citizens. Although the command cited a potential threat of drone strikes in regions of Ukraine bordering Poland, no further specifics were provided.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk additionally confirmed on social media that "preventive air operations" had commenced in Polish airspace due to the risks associated with Russian drones active in nearby areas of Ukraine. In light of military aviation activities, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency announced the closure of Lublin Airport to all air traffic. Furthermore, the government’s security center alerted residents of several border counties in the region about the threat of possible air attacks.
Later in the day, the military's operational command updated on X, notifying that the operation had been concluded and that ground-based defense and reconnaissance systems had returned to their normal status. This step marked a return to routine following the heightened state of alert.
It is important to note that Russia has claimed that it did not intentionally target Poland during the drone incursions on Wednesday. Moscow's ally, Belarus, further suggested that the drones deviated from their intended course due to jamming efforts. Nevertheless, European leaders remain convinced that these incursions were a calculated provocation by Russia.
In recent months, Polish aircraft have been scrambled multiple times to monitor and patrol the nation's airspace in response to Russian airstrikes in Ukraine. Historically, these airstrikes have predominantly occurred during the night or in the early morning hours.
