Poland deployed its military aircraft early on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in response to a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine. The attack, which targeted several regions including Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, prompted widespread air raid alerts across Ukraine and heightened concerns in neighboring NATO member states.

According to the Polish Armed Forces’ Operational Command, both Polish and allied aircraft were activated to monitor and secure Polish airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to the Ukrainian border. Ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were also placed on the highest state of readiness. The operation commenced around 03:40 GMT and concluded by 05:00 GMT after the cessation of Russian strikes. Polish authorities emphasized that the actions were preventative, aimed at safeguarding airspace near the threatened region
Reuters
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as deliberate attempts to terrorize civilians and damage infrastructure. He noted that a missile with cluster munitions hit a residential building in Dnipro, resulting in at least three deaths and dozens of injuries. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that 619 aerial threats were launched, of which 552 drones and 31 missiles were intercepted, highlighting the effectiveness of Western-provided weaponry like F-16 jets
AP News
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This escalation follows a pattern of increased aerial threats from Russia, including recent violations of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft. On September 19, 2025, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island, prompting NATO to scramble Italian F-35 stealth fighters in response
Business Insider
. In Poland, a similar incident occurred earlier in the month when Russian drones entered Polish airspace, leading to a temporary closure of Lublin Airport and the invocation of NATO’s Article 4 consultations
Reuters
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In light of these developments, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has called for NATO-backed support to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine to protect European airspace from further attacks
The Washington Post
. However, such a decision requires collective agreement among NATO and EU allies, and there are concerns about the potential for direct confrontation with Russia.

As the situation continues to evolve, NATO remains on high alert, with member states coordinating efforts to bolster air defense capabilities and ensure the security of the alliance’s eastern flank. The recent airstrikes serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions in the region and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among NATO allies.