Poland Scrambles Jets Amid Russia’s Massive Drone and Missile Assault
Polish skies were put on high alert this weekend as Russia carried out one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine since the war began. Hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles were launched overnight, many of them striking regions uncomfortably close to Poland’s border. In response, Polish and allied fighter jets were scrambled, and ground-based defenses were placed on maximum readiness. The sudden military activity served as a chilling reminder of just how easily the war could spill into NATO territory.
According to Ukraine’s air force, nearly 600 drones, including both attack and decoy types, were launched alongside multiple ballistic and cruise missiles. Air raid sirens sounded across the country, and intense fire lit up the skies over Kyiv as Ukraine’s air defenses scrambled to intercept the waves of incoming weapons. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that several people were killed and dozens injured, with damage inflicted on homes and vital infrastructure. He described the strikes as acts of deliberate terror, aimed not at military targets but at intimidating civilians and crippling everyday life.
Also Read:- UNC and UCF Set for High-Stakes Week 4 Clash in Orlando
- Elks Face Tiger-Cats in Pivotal Week 16 Clash
The attack followed a week of tense incidents across NATO’s eastern flank. Just hours before the drones were launched, three Russian fighter jets were intercepted after crossing into Estonian airspace in what Estonia labeled an “unprecedentedly brazen” violation. Their transponders had been switched off, making them invisible to civilian traffic control and creating a serious safety risk. NATO aircraft, including Italian F-35s, responded immediately, forcing the Russian jets to turn back. Moscow denied any violation, but Estonia has already called for urgent NATO consultations under Article 4, which allows member states to bring such threats before the alliance’s political council.
Poland has found itself in a particularly precarious position. Earlier this month, Russian drones also crossed into both Polish and Romanian territory, prompting NATO forces to shoot some of them down. That incident marked the first time NATO weapons were fired directly at Russian drones since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. With repeated incursions and now a large-scale assault unfolding just across its border, Poland’s government has warned that the risk of open conflict is closer than at any time since World War Two.
Other NATO allies have stepped in to reinforce the region. British Typhoon jets, supported by refueling aircraft, carried out patrols over Poland as part of a new air defense mission named “Eastern Sentry.” The UK’s defense secretary called Russia’s actions reckless and unprecedented, stressing that NATO airspace will be defended at all costs. The symbolism of British and Polish pilots flying together again—85 years after they fought side by side during the Battle of Britain—was not lost on military leaders.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic track shows little progress. Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, pressing for stronger guarantees of Ukraine’s long-term security. Moscow, however, continues to deny violations and shows no willingness to back down. For now, the war rages on, and Europe remains on edge, bracing for the possibility that the conflict could draw NATO directly into confrontation.
Read More:
0 Comments