The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said it had deployed "all necessary forces and resources at its disposal" to ensure the safety of Polish airspace and was "monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis."
Polish and allied aircraft were activated in the morning, the Operational Command said in a statement, adding that measures were taken to ensure security in areas near the Ukrainian border.
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) said civilian airports in the cities of Rzeszów and Lublin were temporarily closed to allow military aircraft to operate freely in response to the Russian strikes on western Ukraine.
The two airports resumed operations around 9 a.m., public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
At about 8:30 a.m., the Operational Command said the threat of Russian missile strikes on regions bordering Poland had decreased and that Polish and allied aircraft were returning to base.
It reported no violations of Polish airspace during the attacks.
"We thank NATO Air Command and the German Air Force, whose aircraft helped ensure security in Polish skies today," the Operational Command said.
It also thanked the Dutch armed forces "for their support with the air defence systems."
Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, targeting energy infrastructure across the country, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched more than 400 drones and some 40 missiles of various types, targeting "the energy grid, generation facilities and distribution substations."
"Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes," he wrote on X, adding that "Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine."
Zelensky urged further Western support for his country, including "missiles for Patriot, NASAMS, and other systems."
"Every shipment helps us get through this winter," he said, thanking all "partners who understand this and are genuinely helping."
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Saturday marked the 1,445th day of the war.
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Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl, Ukrinform