WARSAW, Poland (AP) — On Saturday, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed in a preventive operation in Poland's airspace due to a credible threat of drone strikes in neighboring Ukraine. The situation prompted the closure of Lublin Airport, situated in eastern Poland, as authorities reacted to the potential danger.
The alert lasted approximately two hours and followed an incident on Wednesday when multiple Russian drones allegedly crossed into Polish airspace. This event led NATO to mobilize fighter jets with the intent of neutralizing the threats, underscoring longstanding concerns regarding the escalation of Russia’s military actions during its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for more than three years.
The operational command of the Polish military made a statement on X, highlighting that ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems were placed on high alert. They emphasized that these operations were primarily preventive and aimed at safeguarding Poland’s airspace and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Although specific details were not provided, the command cited a potential threat of drone strikes in Ukrainian regions bordering Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also confirmed via social media that "preventive air operations" had commenced due to the risk posed by Russian drones present in adjacent areas of Ukraine. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency reported the temporary closure of Lublin Airport to air traffic, attributing it to ongoing military aviation activities in the vicinity. The government security center also issued warnings regarding the threat of potential air attacks on several border counties within the region.
Later in the day, the military’s operational command announced on X that the operation had concluded and that ground-based defense and reconnaissance systems had returned to regular operations. In light of recent events, it is significant to note Russia's statement claiming that the drones it deployed on Wednesday did not aim for Polish territory and asserting that the devices deviated due to interference, according to Moscow's ally, Belarus. Despite this, European leaders remain steadfast in their belief that these incursions were a calculated provocation by Russia.
In recent months, Polish aircraft have been frequently scrambled to patrol the nation's airspace in connection with Russian airstrikes targeting Ukraine. Typically, these airstrikes have occurred during nighttime or early morning hours.
In a related event, Romania reported that it had dispatched two F-16 jets to intercept a drone that briefly penetrated its airspace on Saturday afternoon. The Romanian defense ministry stated that the drone did not traverse inhabited areas and posed no immediate danger to the population's security. Additionally, the ministry indicated that specialized teams would conduct searches for any potential debris, although authorities did not clarify the suspected origin of the drone.
