Overview
- Poland’s Operational Command said fighter jets took to the air and ground-based air defense and radar systems moved to the highest combat readiness.
- The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency temporarily suspended operations at Rzeszów and Lublin airports to ensure freedom of movement for military aircraft.
- Authorities reported continuous monitoring of the situation and later confirmed the military aviation operation in Polish airspace had concluded.
- The measures followed a large-scale overnight strike on Ukraine on December 26–27, with Kyiv authorities reporting 22 people injured, according to Ukrinform.
- The response fits a recent pattern that included a scramble on December 22–23 and heightened concerns after balloons entered from Belarus, as Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a large-scale provocation from Moscow.