Poland Deploys Fighter Jets to Safeguard Airspace Amid Russian Missile Strikes on Ukraine
Poland deploys fighter jets to safeguard its airspace amidst Russia's escalating missile attacks on Ukraine A recent incident saw a Russian missile briefly enter Polish territory, prompting immediate defensive action Tensions rise as cities burn and border disputes intensify
Poland swiftly deployed fighter jets on Tuesday to defend its airspace in response to Russia's increased missile attacks on Ukraine. Last week, a Russian missile briefly entered Polish territory, prompting the Polish military to take action. As a NATO member and neighbor to Ukraine, Poland activated two pairs of F-16 fighter jets and an allied air tanker in the early hours of Tuesday morning following Russia's latest deadly missile strike on Ukraine, which targeted the capital Kyiv and the eastern Kharkiv region.
Poland's Operational Command has informed that they are observing intense long-range aviation activity by the Russian Federation, which is linked to conducting strikes on Ukraine. As a result, a pair of fighter jets stationed at bases in Åask and in Krzesiny have been activated to safeguard Polish airspace.
This action follows the recent belief by the Polish military that a Russian missile had entered and exited Polish airspace. The increased strikes on Ukraine by Russia over the New Year period culminated in the largest missile attack since the start of its full-scale invasion nearly two years ago.
The Polish Deputy Foreign Minister, WÅadysÅaw Teofil Bartoszewski, requested an explanation from Russia's chargé d'affaires, Andrei Ordash, but Russia refused to provide one until concrete evidence is presented. According to Russian state media RIA Novosti, Ordash stated that the note contained unfounded accusations and that Poland had refused to provide evidence that the missile was of Russian origin.
Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine over the New Year period, launching another attack on Kyiv on January 2, 2024.
Russia launched a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. This came in response to Ukraine's attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, which the Kremlin vowed to retaliate against.
At least 25 individuals lost their lives and 108 others were wounded in the Ukrainian assault on Saturday, as reported by Russian authorities.
The Defense Ministry of Russia has declared its intent to retaliate for the "act of aggression" and has been launching a barrage of missiles at Ukraine on a daily basis since then.
Four individuals lost their lives and 92 others sustained injuries in the Tuesday morning assaults, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He also stated that the Russian forces have unleashed approximately 170 Shahed drones and numerous missiles targeting civilian sites since December 31, with praise for the dedicated efforts of the air defense personnel over the past three days.
City is in flames
According to Ukraines Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, the overnight strikes by Russia resulted in seven fires in six districts of Kyiv. A high-rise building in Solomainskyi district had to be evacuated, with more than 130 people being moved and 20 individuals being rescued. In total, at least 20 people were injured in the capital.
Two individuals lost their lives in a residential building fire in the Fastiv district of the Kyiv region. Meanwhile, in Vyshneve city, at least seven people sustained injuries, and damage to five apartment buildings and 40 cars was reported. Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, woke up in Kyiv on Tuesday morning and was alarmed to see "the entire city is in flames."
"My building was shaking from the shockwaves of one of the hypersonic missiles being shot over our skies," Zalmayev told CNN. "I was afraid that the building might crumble."
A firefighter stands near the site where a rocket hit in Kharkiv, Ukraine on January 2, 2023. Russia targeted Kharkiv with Kinzhal missiles that morning, hitting residential buildings. (Photo by Pavlo Pakhomenko/NurPhoto via AP)
He noted that certain energy infrastructure appeared to have been targeted, which he viewed as a chilling echo of Russian President Vladimir Putin's previous efforts to destabilize Ukraine's power grid and exploit winter conditions for his advantage.
"There is a possibility that the beginning of 2024 marks the resurgence of a concerted effort to disrupt our power and water facilities," Zalmayev cautioned.
Tension at the border
The border between Poland and Ukraine spans over 300 miles (500 kilometers) and has experienced multiple alarming incidents since the commencement of Russia's full-scale invasion. The conflict in Ukraine poses a threat of spilling over into adjacent European nations.
In November 2022, a missile of Russian origin struck just outside the rural Polish village of Przewodow, approximately 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) west of the Ukrainian border. The explosion resulted in the deaths of two Polish citizens, making this the first direct hit on a NATO member during the conflict.
Throughout the conflict, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have utilized Russian-made munitions. Ukraine initially used Russian-made S-300 missiles for its air defense system before transitioning to the more advanced US-made Patriot system.
In 2022, there were fears of a Russian strike on Poland, but Polish President Andrzej Duda assured that there was no evidence of an intentional attack. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg agreed with this assessment. Duda suggested that the fallen missile in Poland was likely an accidental incident involving a Ukrainian air defense missile intercepting Russian missiles, and identified the missile as a Russian-made S-300.
An F-16 jet performs during the Air Show in Radom, Poland, August 26, 2023.
On Friday, an air attack - the biggest since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine - was reported by Poland's military. They stated that an "unidentified airborne object" had entered Polish airspace from Ukrainian territory.
General Wiesław Kukuła, Poland's highest-ranking military officer, stated that "all indications" pointed to the object being a Russian missile. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also commented on the incident, stating that the alliance "remains vigilant." This is an ongoing story and will be updated.
CNNs Antonia Mortensen contributed reporting.
