Poland deployed its military on Tuesday after reports indicated that Russian drones might have invaded its airspace, as reported by Reuters citing a Telegram message from the Ukrainian Air Force. The country's command said that both Polish and allied planes were put out, while ground-based air defense and radar systems were placed on peak alert to keep the skies secure.
"Polish and allied aircraft are flying over our skies, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been placed in the maximum level of readiness," the operational command stated on X, formerly Twitter.
The Air Force of Ukraine also indicated that Russian drones were heading west, representing a possible threat to the Polish border town of Zamosc. Domestic Ukrainian media also mentioned that at least one drone appeared to be directed towards Rzeszow, yet another southeastern Polish city.
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At the same time, a FlightRadar map indicated a T-059 drone flying above Rzeszow. Social media users commented: "Poland is at a heightened state of alertness after Ukraine reported overnight Russian drone intrusions. In response, U.S. F-35 fighter jets have been scrambled to fly patrol over Polish airspace to deter further intrusions."
Earlier, Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared all the border crossings with Belarus, including rail lines, closed from Thursday at midnight. He referred to the movement along the Polish border as a "very aggressive" military movement that needs to be defended against immediately.
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Interior Minister of Poland Marcin Kierwinski further stated that the closures will continue until authorities are satisfied there is "no more threat to Polish citizens." Other neighboring NATO allies, Lithuania and Latvia, have also confused up border defenses due to the drills.
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