Just after 5:00 a.m., the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces issued a statement in which it said that “due to the intensive activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, carrying out strikes on objects located, among others, in western Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace,” reports Do Rzeczy.
On the night of Thursday to Friday, Ukraine declared a state of high air alert throughout the country after Russian troops fired Kalibr cruise missiles from Crimea.
“In accordance with the applicable procedures, the Operational Commander of the RSZ has activated all available forces and resources at his disposal. Duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,” reads the release.
The Operational Command indicated that the steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in areas bordering the threatened areas. It also emphasized that it is monitoring the current situation, and that the subordinate forces and resources remain in full readiness for immediate response.
“Unfortunately, every time Ukraine ‘burns red’, i.e., there is an alert declared for the whole of Ukraine, the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation operates, our and allied aircraft are scrambled,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz recently explained on Radio Zet.
“Of course, all air defense systems are on high alert, as well as allied reconnaissance systems, air refueling capabilities. The entire system of procedures is being launched and what I have introduced, there is full information on this subject,” he added.
Meanwhile, General Mieczysław Bieniek, advisor to the Minister of National Defense Kosiniak-Kamysz on security matters and former NATO deputy commander for transformation, says Europe has wasted time.
“We don’t have much time. Let’s remember that we have already been given time, two to three years, which Ukraine gave us, but we as Europe have not used it,” said the general.
At the special EU summit held yesterday, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented a 5-point plan for a European rearmament program. The program is to include, among others: the release of public funds at the national level and loans to EU member states for investments in the armed forces and security (totaling up to €800 billion).
“All European countries are still aware that they have to take on a greater burden in terms of defense systems,” Bieniek told TVN24.
“I think that the working groups in the European Commission will work out the exact details [ of the plan to rearm Europe – ed.], how these €800 billion will be divided,” he added.
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