Two airports in Poland were closed again due to an attack by Russia
On the evening of September 17, Poland scrambled its military aircraft for the second time that day amid a Russian attack on Ukraine. The Polish military put its ground-based air defense systems and radar complexes on alert. Due to the military aviation operations, airports in Lublin and Rzeszów were temporarily suspended.
Poland has once again tightened control of its airspace in response to a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine. On the evening of September 17, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that it was conducting “preemptive operations” in the country’s airspace.
The Polish military stated that the Air Force Command had mobilized the necessary forces and assets at its disposal. “Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance systems have been placed on combat alert,” according to a statement from the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command. According to the Polish military, these measures are preventive in nature. Their goal is to ensure the security of Polish airspace, especially in the eastern part of the country, which is located near the Ukrainian border.
This is the second time Poland has scrambled its air force today
This is the second time on September 17 that Poland has mobilized its military aircraft in response to Russian strikes on Ukraine. The Polish military regularly steps up airspace monitoring during large-scale Russian attacks. At such times, the country scrambles fighter jets and places ground-based air defense systems and radar complexes on high alert.
This protocol allows the Polish military to respond more quickly to potential airspace violations or other threats that may arise near the border. The Polish military pays particular attention to the eastern part of the country. This is where the Lublin and Podkarpackie provinces, which border Ukraine, are located.
Airports in Lublin and Rzeszów have suspended operations
Later, another consequence of the Polish military aviation operations came to light. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency reported that, due to military aircraft operations, air traffic at the airports in Lublin and Rzeszów has been temporarily suspended. These are temporary restrictions. They are related to military aviation operations and security measures that Poland has implemented in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Rzeszów airport is of particular importance to the region. It is located approximately 90 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and serves as one of the key logistics hubs for international aid to Ukraine. The airport in Lublin is also located near the border with Ukraine. Therefore, during large-scale attacks by the Russian Federation, Polish authorities may tighten restrictions in this area.
Poland is monitoring the situation in the air
Polish military command emphasized that the measures taken in the evening were aimed at protecting its own airspace. “These actions are preventive in nature and aimed at ensuring the security and protection of Polish airspace, especially in the eastern part of the country,” the military stated. Poland has already scrambled fighter jets on multiple occasions due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine. These decisions are driven by risks associated with Russian missiles and drones flying near the Polish border.
The Polish military is paying particular attention to the possibility of a repeat of the situation where Russian drones or missile debris could end up on Polish territory. In September 2025, Poland even deployed fighter jets and air defense systems to counter Russian drones that had violated Polish airspace. Following this incident, Warsaw stepped up airspace control measures along its eastern border.
This time, the Polish military did not report any violation of the country’s airspace. At present, the focus is specifically on preventive measures in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine. The situation remains under the control of the Polish military. Further decisions regarding aviation operations and airport operations will depend on the development of the air attack and the level of threat to Polish airspace. This was reported this evening by the Polish news outlet RMF24.
For the third time in a week, Russia attacked an area near the Ukrainian border crossing with Poland in Yagodyn. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that Moscow continues to escalate the conflict, and that Ukraine and its partners must increase pressure on Russia. According to him, the response should include additional air defense systems, new sanctions, and restrictions on the Russian military machine.
