Poland Fighter Jets Respond to Russian Missiles That Appeared to Target Border Before Last-Minute Turn Into Ukraine

Several of Poland’s F-16s were forced to scramble when Russia sent missiles toward its border with Ukraine on Wednesday, February 7.

However, the missiles turned away from the NATO country and struck targets in Ukraine as part of an onslaught by Russia, Knewz.com has learned.

Polish F-16s were forced to scramble as Russia attacked Ukraine near its border Wednesday, February 7. By: MEGA

According to The Daily Mail, Russia launched multiple rounds of missiles on Ukraine during rush hour Wednesday. The strikes shut down power in parts of the capital, Kyiv.

Poland flew three jets in response.

Video shows residential areas of Kyiv were burning from Wednesday morning’s Russian attack, in which multiple rounds of missiles were reportedly launched. At least two people were injured.

The missiles apparently changed course after appearing to be on course for the Polish border, Newsweek reports.

Poland was struck by a missile in November 2022 that was initially thought to have been from Russia. Upon further investigation, officials determined the missile was from a Ukraine misfire.

According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Polish Minister Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak said the close calls are getting far too familiar.

As Knewz.com reported on December 29, a Russian missile entered Polish airspace for a significant distance before turning back toward Ukraine.

“We have to use the word ‘routinely’ because this is another situation where Polish air defense system, Polish duty pairs [and] other allied systems are activated to protect the airspace of the Polish,” Siemoniak said.

Russia President Vladimir Putin has threatened to attack NATO members multiple times. By: MEGA

The minister said the latest attack by Russia, which struck a marine drone plant in Mykolaiv and barraged Kyiv and Kharkiv, is a clear sign that Moscow isn’t changing course anytime soon.

“This should be a conclusion for the West: Let’s support Ukraine, let’s vote in the United States for support packages, because there is no end in sight to this war, and Ukraine [is] in the interest of the free world [and] requires some support. Russia is brutally reminding us of this,” Siemoniak said.

“Who thought that there would be some kind of softening of the course … none of these things. There is a war going on and nothing is changing here,” he added.

Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak (right) greets his German counterpart Thomas de Maiziere (left) prior to their meeting at the 12th Mechanized Division in Szczecin, Poland on February 8, 2012. By: MEGA

Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces announced that it is taking precautions to protect its airspace.

“We would like to inform you that intensive activity of the long-range aviation of the Russia Federation is observed, related to missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine. All the necessary procedures to ensure the security of the Polish airspace have been launched, and the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis,” the Operational Command of the Armed Forces wrote on X, according to PAP.

The possibility of Russia striking Poland, a NATO country, has the world on edge as it could spark World War III.

Poland has announced precautions to protect is airspace. By: MEGA

NATO’s Article 5 states that if one of its allies is attacked, it is considered an act of aggression against all members.

As Knewz.com reported on January 18, NATO has deployed 90,000 troops in its largest exercise since the Cold War in a show of strength against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

NATO has deployed 90,000 troops in a show of strength against Russia President Vladimir Putin. By: MEGA

NATO’s top commander Chris Cavoli made the announcement last month that the drill will show how U.S. troops could reinforce European allies, especially in the East.

“Steadfast Defender 2024 will demonstrate NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe,” the commander told reporters in Brussels after a two-day meeting of national chiefs of defense, according to Reuters.

He explained the reinforcement will take place during a “simulated emerging conflict scenario with a near-peer adversary.”

While Russia wasn’t directly mentioned, it is labeled as the most direct threat to NATO security according to top strategic documents, as reported by Reuters.