(NewsInsights.org) – Russia has continued missile barrages targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure, including power plants serving Kyiv and Lviv. On Friday, April 26, Poland and other NATO allies deployed aircraft to protect its airspace in response to the Kremlin’s increase in long-range mass missile strikes.
According to Polish President Andrzej Duda, Russia has violated Polish airspace several times since 2022 while launching missile attacks on Ukraine. He has called the incidents intentional “Russian provocations.” However, US officials remain unconvinced that Russian forces intentionally made the incursions.
Moreover, the violations or potential incursions of NATO ally airspace have resulted in the decision to scramble fighter jets to patrol when Russia launches missile barrages. So far, the jets have not engaged the missiles, allowing Ukrainian forces to use anti-missile technology to counter the attacks.
On Saturday, April 27, Ukraine’s air force announced it had neutralized 21 of the 24 missiles that Russia launched against several power plants. However, at least four power plants took severe damage from the attack.
Polish Air Force Chief Directorate Brig. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak told reporters it wasn’t just missiles violating Polish airspace. Fighter jets, including Russian Su-27s, Su-35s, and MiG-29s, have regularly come perilously close to Polish airspace, testing response times and defenses. Nowak said the practice of harassment “brings more tension — more risk — and it’s definitely more serious for the whole NATO community.”
In November 2022, stray ordinance hit a silo in southern Poland near the town of Przewodów, killing two. Initially, Poland blamed Russia for the tragedy, but further investigation revealed the cause was a misfire on Ukraine’s part.
However, a month later, in December, a Russian missile flew over Polish airspace for nearly half the length of the country and crashed near a NATO training site without causing injuries or casualties. In December 2023, another missile flew across the nation for at least three minutes on the way to its final destination.
In the face of provocation, Duda and NATO allies say they have taken carefully measured responses to protect Poland and Western Europe. However, they’ve warned against Russia’s continued escalation.
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