Russia bombed Ukraine heavily again on Friday night. In Poland, NATO fighter jets then went on heightened alert.
Warsaw – These were the next treacherous air strikes by the Russian regime around Vladimir Putin on its western neighbor in the Ukraine war.
Russian air strikes on Ukraine: Polish fighter jets take off again
As the operational command of the Polish Armed Forces announced early on Friday morning (April 19) on
All necessary procedures “to ensure the security of Polish airspace have been initiated” and the air force will “continuously monitor the situation,” said Warsaw about the recent Russian air strikes on major Ukrainian cities. And further: “Aircraft on duty have gone into operation in the airspace, which can lead to increased noise levels, especially in the southeast of the country.” In recent weeks, Polish NATO fighter jets have repeatedly climbed onto the eastern flank of the defense alliance due to the aggression from Moscow.
Ukraine War: Three Russian missiles “lost their way” into Polish airspace
According to media reports, in the past 16 months, Poles have counted three large Russian missiles that illegally entered their airspace and then turned back. They are said to have been cruise missiles that can be controlled remotely. And that was probably the only reason - misguided - that did not cause any damage in the NATO country. For example, on December 29, a Russian missile was identified near Zamosc in southeastern Poland.
Explosive: Only around 120 kilometers southwest of Zamosc is the Polish military airport in Rzeszow, through which NATO handles its logistics in this section of its eastern flank. And from where Western military aid comes to Ukraine. That's why several American "Patriot" anti-aircraft batteries are stationed at the Rzeszow airfield - with a missile range of up to 160 kilometers.
NATO eastern flank in Poland: F-16C fighter jets stationed not far from Warsaw
Most recently, a Russian missile violated Polish NATO airspace on March 24th, whereupon the USA assured all NATO states of its “rock-solid” support. “Our commitment to NATO and the security of our NATO allies, including Poland, is rock-solid and will not waver,” Matthew Miller, the US Department of Defense spokesman at the Pentagon, said at the time. On the Polish side, surveillance in Polish NATO airspace is usually carried out by the 3rd and 6th Tactical Aviation Squadrons from Poznan as well as the 10th Tactical Aviation Squadron from Lask near Warsaw.
The troops are equipped with the country's 48 American F-16C/D fighter jets. Poland also has a few older MiG-29 fighter jets from former Soviet production. According to
the Global Firepower Index (GFP)
, as of April 19, out of a total of 59 fighter jets in the Air Force of the Republic of Poland, only 44 were operational. For comparison: According to the same source, the German Air Force had 106 operational Eurofighter Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets in the ranks of the Bundeswehr at the same time. The air forces of both countries work closely together, particularly in the Baltic Sea region.
(pm)