Airports shut down as NATO scrambles fighter jets following major attack by Russia

Two airports have suspended operations

The air navigation services agency of Poland confirmed that as a result of the attacks, the airports in Lublin and Rzeszów have suspended operations.

According to the Polish armed forces, this morning the “necessary forces and resources” have been activated, while ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance have also been prepared.

The measures are “preventive”, the command said, and were put in place to secure the protection of Polish airspace.

“Attention. In connection with strikes by the Russian Federation on targets in the western part of Ukraine, conducted using unmanned aerial vehicles, military aviation is operating in Polish airspace”, a statement from the Polish armed forces reads.

“In accordance with applicable procedures, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces RSZ, through the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command, has activated the necessary forces and resources at its disposal. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance have reached a state of readiness.”

“In connection with the need to ensure freedom of operations for military aviation, the airports in Lublin and Rzeszów have suspended flight operations”, it said.

Mikoyan MIG-29 fighter jets of the Polish Air Force taking part in a NATO shielding exercise. Credit: Getty Images

Russia's hybrid attacks across Europe, nearly half a decade after start of invasion in Ukraine

In recent months, this is the only latest incident which has affected a NATO country in eastern Europe.

Other countries such as Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic states have repeatedly reported drone intrusions into their airspace.

A suspected Russian drone strike targeted two ships off the coast of Bulgaria in the Black Sea, sinking one of them last week.

Nearly five years (four years and eight months) after it started its invasion in Ukraine, Russia has significantly escalated both its conventional military operations in Ukraine and its “gray zone” hybrid attacks across Europe.

A building in central Kyiv burning following Russian drone strikes in the Ukrainian capital. Credit: Getty Images

Whereas in Ukraine, in the 24 hours leading up to October 18, Russian attacks killed at least 10 civilians and injured 73 others, regional authorities have said.

Overnight, Ukraine responded by also launching a drone attack, sending hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles towards Moscow and St Petersburg.

As per claims made by Russia’s defence ministry, around 1,015 Ukrainian drones have been shot down across Moscow and several western regions.