Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets overnight as Russia carried out another series of aerial attacks against Ukraine, prompting heightened air-defence readiness along NATO’s eastern border.
Poland activated its military aviation twice during the night in response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said. During the first alert, Polish military aircraft were deployed while ground-based air-defence and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on heightened readiness.
“The measures are preventive in nature and are aimed at ensuring the security of the airspace and its protection, particularly in areas adjacent to threatened zones,” the command said.
The operation was later ended after the immediate threat had passed. Polish authorities said no violation of the country’s airspace had been detected.
Around an hour later, however, military aircraft were deployed again as Russia launched further aerial attacks against Ukraine.
“In connection with renewed strikes by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine using airborne weapons, military aviation is once again operating in Polish airspace,” the Operational Command said.
Poland’s air-defence and radar systems were again placed on alert, with the necessary forces activated through the country’s Air Operations Centre.
Romania also responded to aerial activity near its border with Ukraine during the night of September 24.
Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets stationed in Romania as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing mission took off from the 57th Air Base to monitor the situation, according to the Romanian Defence Ministry. Romanian radar systems had detected a group of aerial targets moving over Ukrainian territory north of Chilia Veche, close to the Romanian border.
The alert was lifted at 05:44. Romanian authorities did not report any violation of the country’s airspace.
The precautionary deployments in both countries came as Russian forces carried out overnight attacks against several parts of Ukraine, including areas relatively close to NATO territory.
