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Poland’s air force scrambled after Russian missile passes through country’s airspace
Foreign ministry will summon Moscow’s ambassador to explain why violation occurred
Poland’s airforce has been scrambled after Russia violated its airspace early on Sunday, Warsaw said.
Russia launched 57 missiles and drones towards Ukraine in the early hours of Sunday, attacking Kyiv and the western region of Lviv. Poland’s military said that one of the missiles launched towards western Ukraine briefly entered its airspace.
In a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command (RSZ) said: “On March 24 at 4:23 a.m. (0323 GMT), there was a violation of Polish airspace by one of the cruise missiles launched overnight by long-range aviation of the Russian Federation.”
Missile observed by radar for 39 seconds
“The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds. During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems.”
The Polish military said its forces were in a heightened state of readiness because of the “intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation tonight” and the missile attacks in Ukraine.
Increased noise levels
“Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the south-eastern part of the country,” it said.
The Polish foreign ministry intends to summon the Russian ambassador to explain the violation, Andrzej Szejna, the country’s deputy foreign minister, told Polsat News, an independent broadcaster.
“Above all, we ask the Russian Federation to end its terrorist airstrikes against the population and territory of Ukraine, to end the war and to focus on the country’s own internal problems,” Pawel Wronski, a ministry spokesman, added.
It was Russia’s third massive missile attack on Ukraine in the past four days.