NATO F-16 fighter jets were ordered to operate in Polish airspace following drone and missile attacks by Russia against Ukraine on Monday, The Times of London reports.
Ukraine announced on Monday that Russia had launched hundreds of drones in an overnight strike on western Ukraine, an attack that a Ukrainian air force spokesperson described as "one of the largest that Russia has inflicted on our state recently."
In a statement, the Polish armed forces said, "Due to the intensive air attack by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and [NATO] allied aircraft began to operate in Polish airspace in the morning."
The attacks by Russia came about a week after Ukraine launched drone strikes targeting Russian airfields across the country.
"The Polish military is continuously monitoring the situation on Ukrainian territory and remains on constant alert to ensure the safety of Polish airspace. We thank the NATO Air Force for its allied support," the Polish military said in a press release.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.