Poland Scrambles Jets Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict Escalation

Poland scrambled aircraft for air safety amid Russian strikes in Ukraine, with impacts on European aviation. Eastern NATO members remain vigilant after prior drone incidents. Ukraine faces ongoing missile threats, while air defense systems work to protect vital infrastructure.

In response to escalating tensions, NATO member Poland activated its aircraft on Sunday to safeguard its airspace following a series of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. The strikes were reported by Ukrainian officials, with missiles and drones hitting the Lviv region near Poland's border.

Polish authorities, along with their NATO allies, heightened air defense readiness. This caution comes after Polish forces previously intercepted Russian drones in September. The threat extends across Europe, with Lithuania's Vilnius airport temporarily closed due to unidentified aerial balloons.

Flight patterns have adapted, routing planes away from Poland's border near Lublin and Rzeszow. While the U.S. FAA has issued no immediate alerts, Eurocontrol cautions about airspace delays. Ukraine's military remains on high alert amid ongoing missile attack threats, particularly in Lviv.

(With inputs from agencies.)