Poland scrambles aircraft for second time in one day amid Russian attacks on Ukraine
Poland took preventive air-defense measures for the second time on September 17 evening in response to Russian strikes on Ukraine, temporarily halting operations at two eastern airports.
Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command announced on the evening of September 17 that it had launched "preventive operations" in the country's airspace, according to a statement posted on social media platform X.
According to the military, the air force command mobilized the necessary forces and assets at its disposal. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on combat readiness. The statement said these actions were preventive in nature and aimed at ensuring the security of Polish airspace, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
Later that evening, around 20:22, outlet RMF24 reported that Poland's air navigation services agency said airports in Lublin and Rzeszów had again temporarily suspended aviation activity due to military aircraft operations.
Earlier that day, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a Russian attack drone had crashed near the Polish border in Ukraine's Volyn region on the afternoon of September 17. Lieutenant Colonel Jacek Goryszewski, spokesman for Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command, said a drone most likely crashed or was shot down 4 kilometers from the Polish-Ukrainian border. Polish forces were reportedly ready to shoot down the Russian drone had it crossed the border.
That same day, Tusk said intelligence indicated Russian "plans for hybrid strikes" against countries supporting Ukraine.
