Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russian drone comes within 4 km of border
Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily suspended operations at two airports on Sept. 17 as a Russian jet-powered drone approached within about four kilometers (2.5 miles) of the Polish border during an attack on western Ukraine.
The drone either hit its target or was intercepted on the Ukrainian side of the border, Polish military spokesperson Jacek Goryszewski said, according to Polish broadcaster RMF24.
Polish authorities said there was no violation of the country’s airspace.
Residents in parts of the Lublin and Subcarpathian regions received emergency alerts warning of a potential aerial threat, while airports in Lublin and Rzeszów temporarily suspended operations to allow military aircraft to operate.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a “very massive explosion” occurred near Yahodyn, across the border from Dorohusk, and suggested that a gas station may again have been targeted.
The incident came four days after a Russian strike near Yahodyn hit a locomotive about two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Polish border. No one was injured in that attack.