Poland Puts Air Force on Alert Following Reported Russian Response to ATACMS Strike
Warsaw, Poland – Poland has placed it’s air force on heightened alert following reports of increased Russian aerial activity near its borders, triggered by a recent Ukrainian strike utilizing U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles. the Polish military confirmed the increased readiness as Russia publicly reacted to the attack, which reportedly targeted an airfield in Crimea.
The escalation comes amid growing concerns over the potential for the conflict in ukraine to spill over into neighboring countries. While Polish officials have stressed there is no immediate threat to Polish territory, the preventative measure underscores the heightened tensions in the region. The deployment aims to ensure rapid response capabilities shoudl any incursions occur, protecting Polish airspace and demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense condemned the ATACMS strike, claiming it was carried out with Western assistance and vowed “retaliatory measures.” The ministry did not specify the nature of thes measures, but the subsequent increase in Russian air activity near the Polish border has prompted the alert.
Ukraine has not officially commented on the ATACMS strike, but sources indicate the missiles were used to target an airfield in Crimea used by Russian forces. The use of ATACMS, long-range tactical missiles provided by the United States, marks a significant growth in Ukraine’s counteroffensive capabilities.
Meanwhile, Kyiv has released updated figures on Russian losses in the war, reporting approximately 850 soldiers lost within a 24-hour period, bringing the total estimated losses to over 1.16 million. These figures, provided by the Ukrainian general Staff, include both soldiers killed and seriously wounded, though independent verification remains challenging.
