Polish and allied aviation forces conducted air patrols over Poland during a significant Russian airstrike on Ukraine on the night of February 26. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced this via social media.
The command noted that the operational commander mobilized the necessary forces and resources at his disposal for this purpose. “Fighter jets and early warning aircraft are on combat readiness, while ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance have been placed on heightened alert,” the statement read.
According to Polish military officials, these measures are preventive in nature, aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of the country’s airspace.
On the night of February 26, air raid alerts were issued in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine due to the threat posed by Russian strike drones and ballistic missiles. Explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. In the capital, damage occurred in several districts, while at least 16 individuals were reported injured in Kharkiv and its suburbs, with additional casualties in Zaporizhzhia.
Earlier, on February 22, Poland also scrambled aircraft in response to a large-scale Russian missile and drone strike against Ukraine.
Poland has increased its air patrols in response to ongoing Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, mobilizing military resources to safeguard its airspace. The situation in Ukraine remains critical, with reported casualties from the latest attacks.