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Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russia strikes Ukraine

03.04.2026 11:45
Poland scrambled fighter jets and put its air defence systems on alert as Russia launched a massive air attack on neighbouring Ukraine on Friday, officials said.
Image:
Image:Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces

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."

Military 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.

"Fighter ‌jets on standby have been ​scrambled, and ‌ground-based ‌air defence systems as ⁠well as radar reconnaissance entered a state ⁠of maximum readiness," the army said ​on X.

At about 11:30 a.m., the Operational Command said the threat of Russian strikes on regions bordering Poland had decreased and that military aircraft were returning to base.

"Activated ​ground-based air defence ‌and ‌radar reconnaissance systems have ⁠returned to standard operational activities," it said.

It reported no violations of Polish airspace during the attacks.

Russia launched a fresh wave of air strikes on Ukraine on Friday, using more than 400 drones and 10 ballistic ⁠missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force.

Air force ‌spokesman Yurii Ihnat said the ‌bombardment was similar to an assault on Tuesday, which killed at least four people, when an overnight barrage of over 300 drones was followed by another of similar size in the middle of the ⁠day, British broadcaster Sky News reported.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl, Ukrinform, Reuters, Sky News