NATO fighter jets scrambled as ‘intensive Russian air attack’ | World | News

NATO fighter jets were scrambled after Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine, close to the border of Poland. Warsaw said Polish and allied aircaft took off to patrol Poland‘s skies in response to an “intensive air attack” by Russia on western Ukraine.

A local city mayor said Russia fired dozens of drones and missiles at the region, describing it as the “largest attack” on western Ukraine yet. The allied jets had began to operate in Polish airspace in response to the attacks at around 02:30am. Poland’s Operational Commander “activated all available forces and resources at his disposal”, Warsaw’s Operational Command said in a statement.

In addition to the jets, this included putting ground-based air defences and radar systems on the “highest state of readiness”.

The command said in a statement: “These actions are of a preventive nature and are undertaken to ensure security and monitor the situation in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Republic of Poland.

“The Operational Command of the Armed Forces remains in constant readiness to respond to any threats that may violate the territorial integrity of the state or the security of its citizens.”

In an updated statement at around 05:47am, Poland‘s Operational Command said the scrambled jets had been stood down due to the “reduced level of threat of missile strikes by Russian aviation on the territory of Ukraine“.

It said they had returned to “standard operational activities”, adding: “We would like to inform you that no violation of Polish airspace was observed.”

NATO fighter jets have previously been scrambled in Poland, as well as along the alliance’s eastern flank, in response to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine.

British fighter jets are currently stationed in northern Poland as part of a NATO policing mission and have carried out several interceptions of Russian aircraft near allied airspace.

It is not clear whether the jets were scrambled on Monday morning.

The Daily Express has approached the Ministry of Defence for comment.