'Necessary procedures activated':  Poland deploys jets, closes airports after Russian drones enter airspace

Poland Shuts Down Airports After Russian Strikes On Ukraine Border

Poland acted swiftly after reports emerged of Russian drones entering its airspace. Faytuks Network reported that a UAV had flown past Novovolynsk toward the settlement of Zamosc. In response, Warsaw said that “the necessary procedures have been activated.”

Poland's military has also mentioned that the country's airspace was "repeatedly" violated by drones during a Russian attack on Ukraine.

"During today's attack by the Russian Federation aimed at targets in Ukraine, our airspace was repeatedly violated by drones," the operational command of Poland's armed forces said in a statement on social media.

On Wednesday, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed to protect the country’s airspace following Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s western regions near the Polish border, Reuters reported. Additionally, Poland has closed four airports, including Warsaw International Airport, Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport, Warsaw Modlin Airport, and Lublin Airport, according to FAA notices.

"Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness," the operational command of the Polish armed forces said in a post on X.

“To ensure the security of Polish airspace, the Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all necessary procedures,” the statement added, further noting that the Polish army is “fully prepared for immediate response.”

Earlier, Reuters reported that Ukraine’s Air Force warned on Telegram that Russian drones were moving westward, posing a threat to the Polish city of Zamosc. The message was later deleted. "Drones in Poland, heading west, toward the city of Zamosc!" the warning reportedly read.

This follows remarks by Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Tuesday, who cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could target other countries after the conflict in Ukraine. "We do not trust Vladimir Putin's good intentions," Nawrocki told reporters at a press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki.

As of 0000 GMT, most of Ukraine, including the western regions of Volyn and Lviv bordering Poland, remained under air raid alerts for several hours, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.