Polish government officials warned residents of the Lublin and Podkarpackie provinces on Thursday at noon that an air raid might occur. This warning was issued after the operational command of the Polish armed forces announced that the country's air force had been activated in response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Warning for Residents
A text message was sent to residents of these provinces stating: "Attention! Attention! Attention! There is a threat of an air raid. Go to a safe place. Follow emergency service instructions. Await further announcements." Additionally, warning sirens were sounded in the cities of Lublin and Rzeszów. This warning was lifted around 12:50 local time, and officials announced that "there is no threat on Polish soil."
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Response to Russian Attacks
According to the operational command of the armed forces, the deployment of the Polish air force was a reaction to Russian attacks on western Ukraine. The statement noted that due to the use of jet-powered drones against western Ukrainian territory, military aircraft operated in Polish airspace. The command also emphasized that the actions taken are preventive and aim to maintain the airspace of Poland, especially in areas close to threatened regions.
The Polish government has implemented additional precautionary measures in this sensitive situation and has kept its forces and equipment ready for immediate response to any threats.
Statements from the Prime Minister and Defense Minister
The Polish government has also responded to this situation. Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of the country, referred to the recent Russian attack on Ukraine during a press conference following a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, describing it as "very horrific." Tusk stated that this attack occurred near the Polish border.
The Polish Defense Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, also wrote in a post on social media X: "Russia does not refrain from its aggressive actions. Today, an attack occurred just a few kilometers from the Polish border. However, there was no violation of our airspace. For this reason, I have decided to strengthen the protection of Polish skies in recent weeks."
The airports in Lublin and Rzeszów temporarily halted their operations to ensure the freedom of movement for military aircraft.
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