A section of Polish airspace near the capital was temporarily closed on Sunday amid escalating tensions, as Russia launched a fresh wave of attacks on Ukraine. Polish military officials confirmed the closure was prompted by military activity and that fighter jets were deployed as a preventative measure. The airspace closure, affecting Lublin and Rzeszów, was expected to remain in effect until early morning. Meanwhile, air raid sirens blared across Ukraine from 03:00 GMT on Sunday due to ongoing Russian missile strikes. Earlier this month, Polish and NATO forces intercepted Russian drones entering Polish airspace, marking the first direct military confrontation with Moscow since the 2022 invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned NATO and the European Union that any aggression against Russia would be met with a decisive response. Lavrov, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, stated that Moscow had no plans to attack the West but would retaliate if provoked. In response to drone incursions, NATO announced it is upgrading its mission in the Baltic Sea, including an air defense frigate and enhanced surveillance capabilities. Unidentified drones were also spotted near Danish military installations. These incidents prompted authorities to label them as hybrid attacks. Copenhagen airport was temporarily closed, and several smaller Danish airports were also shut down. In Norway, police are investigating possible drone sightings near Oerland air force base. In Germany, a drone “swarm” was observed over Schleswig-Holstein. The Interior Minister wants to change air safety laws to permit the armed forces to shoot down drones. EU countries are planning to prioritize building a “drone wall” to secure borders. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said these measures would lead to increased tensions.
Airspace Closure in Poland as Russian Strikes Continue; NATO Increases Baltic Security
