Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russia pounds Ukraine with missiles

Poland scrambled fighter jets and put its air defence systems on full alert as Russia launched a massive missile attack on neighbouring Ukraine on Wednesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said. It is reported by Upmp.news with reference to “Polskie Radio”.

Kosiniak-Kamysz, who is also Poland’s defence minister, said in a media interview that Polish and allied F-16 aircraft had been activated.

Russia launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Wednesday morning, according to reports.

All of Ukraine was under air raid alert during morning rush hour, with Ukraine’s Air Force warning of a risk of Russian missile attacks across the country, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

One of the missiles was at one point flying toward the Polish border, but a Ukrainian official later said the missile changed its course, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Kosiniak-Kamysz told private broadcaster Radio Zet that “all of Poland’s security systems were placed on full alert” on Wednesday morning.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said in a social media post that “all necessary procedures have been launched to ensure the security of Polish airspace.”

It added that it was “monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Wednesday is day 714 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP