Poland Scrambles Jets During Russian Attack

Poland scrambled military aircraft and raised air defense readiness levels during Russia’s mass drone attack against Ukraine on Wednesday. Polish military officials said the measures were preventive and aimed at securing airspace near areas bordering Ukraine. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Polish Air Force Russian-made Su-22 fighters take part in a military parade in Warsaw on Polish Army Day, August 15, 2023, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1920 victory over Soviet Russia at the Battle of Warsaw during the Polish?Soviet War. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Poland scrambled military aircraft and activated additional air defense measures during Russia’s large-scale overnight attack against Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on Wednesday, May 13. According to the military command’s statement on X , Poland launched operational flights in its airspace after Russia carried out a mass attack against Ukraine using a large number of drones. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “In accordance with applicable procedures, the Operational Commander activated the necessary forces and resources at his disposal,” the statement says. Poland said fighter jets and helicopters were deployed, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on heightened alert. The Polish military described the actions as preventive measures aimed at protecting the country’s airspace, particularly in areas bordering regions under threat in Ukraine. “The Operational Command is monitoring the current situation, and subordinate forces and resources remain ready for an immediate response,” the statement adds. The move came as Russia launched a prolonged combined air assault against Ukraine involving 139 drones overnight, including Shahed drones, decoys, and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down or electronically suppressed 111 drones by 8 a.m. Other Topics of Interest ‘In Real Life They Would Have Been Dead’: Ukrainian Drone Teams ‘Destroy’ Swedish Forces in NATO Drill Ukrainian drone operators “destroyed” Swedish troops during a NATO exercise on Gotland, where Ukraine acted as an aggressor force. The drills tested responses to sabotage and hybrid threats near NATO’s eastern flank. Ukrainian instructors emphasized rapid adaptation to drone warfare, while European officials stressed improving detection and survivability systems.  Officials reported casualties and infrastructure damage across multiple regions. In the Rivne region, strikes on civilian infrastructure, including a residential building, killed two people and injured four others, according to regional governor Oleksandr Koval. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, overnight Russian attacks killed eight people and injured 11. In the Poltava region, drones struck an electrical substation, leaving more than 6,500 residents without power. Authorities also reported damage and fires in the Odesa, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi regions. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.