Polish Air Force joined Nato jets in defending Poland’s airspace from the “unprecedented violation” of Russian drones.
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Alamy
Poland has been forced to scramble Nato jets after Russian ‘suicide’ drones were detected entering its airspace en route to Ukraine.
Described as an “unprecedented violation” of Polish airspace, it marks the first direct intervention by the Nato alliance since the Ukraine war began.
Following the intervention, a Polish military command said “weapons have been used, and operations are underway to locate the downed targets” after its airspace was “repeatedly violated”.
In a statement on X, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said drones had been detected in Polish airspace following a Russian attack on Ukraine.
“There was an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace,” it wrote in a post.
“This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” it added.
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said Russian missiles have been shot down – days after the meeting of world leaders as part of ‘Five Eyes’.
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Alamy
It comes as Ukraine Telegram accounts continue to post updates to citizens, with Ukrainian armed forces warning residents of incoming drones and cruise missiles overnight.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is “present at the scene of the operations”, Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said during the early hours of Wednesday.
Tusk insisted Polish miliary forces “deployed weapons against the objects” – the “objects” in question being Russian “drone-type” aircraft.
Poland shot down Russian ‘suicide’ drones as Tusk responded to the attack.
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X
In a post on social media X, Polish command said the drones shot down “posed a real threat” to national safety.
Describing the incident, the post explained that the drones had entered Poland’s airspace before being shot down, with efforts now underway by the military to identify the drone crash sites.
“Polish and allied forces and assets remain fully prepared for further operations,” the post read.
It comes as Poland’s main airport posted online to insist flights were operating as usual in and out of the country.
“The airport remains open, but no flight operations are currently taking place,” it says in a statement on X.