WW3 fears develop as Russia’s huge Ukraine assault prompts NATO defence launch

Russia has launched massive drone strikes on eastern Ukraine, prompting Poland to activate its ground-based air defences for the third time in two days

NATO air defences have been triggered for the third time in just two days, as tensions over a potential full-scale conflict between Russia and the West have escalated dramatically.

Russia launched extensive drone attacks on eastern Ukraine on Thursday morning (September 24), forcing Poland to deploy its ground-based air defences in response. Poland also revealed that strikes in Ukraine 24 hours earlier necessitated air defence activation, and the nation’s air force scrambled fighter jets when a Russian helicopter ‘breached’ Polish airspace later on Wednesday morning.

Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces issued a statement at 5:22am UK time: “In connection with the strikes by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, conducted using air attack assets, military aviation is operating in Polish airspace.

“In accordance with applicable procedures, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces RSZ, through the Air Operations Centre – Air Component Command, has activated the necessary forces and resources at its disposal. Ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance systems have reached readiness status.

“These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing airspace and its protection, especially in areas adjacent to threatened regions. The Operational Command of the Armed Forces RSZ is monitoring the current situation, and subordinate forces and resources remain ready for immediate response.”

It issued a similar statement when it deployed the same defences roughly 24 hours prior, activated after Russian drones claimed at least nine lives in devastating attacks across Kyiv and Dnipro. Following the strikes, Poland levelled accusations at Russia for breaching its airspace without authorisation.

Military chiefs said a Russian Mi-8 helicopter ‘momentarily violated’ the airspace near Braniewo, situated close to Russia’s Kaliningrad territory on the Baltic Sea. The aircraft encroached into Polish airspace by 300m for 42 seconds at 11:08am local time.

Officials confirmed fighter jets were deployed. They stated: “The flight of the machine was observed by the radio-location systems of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. Fighter aircraft were scrambled, and ground-based forces and assets remained on standby.

“The nature of the incident indicates that Russia is once again testing the readiness of our air defence. The crews of the Republic of Poland’s air defence systems conduct round-the-clock observation, remaining in constant readiness to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.”

Around the same time, there were unconfirmed reports from Romania that a unidentified drone entered its airspace. Reportedly, the country’s air operations services spotted the drone flying through the airspace at 06:58am on Thursday morning local time.

It was spotted near Cunicea, in the Camenca district, travelling from Ukraine towards Moldova, they said, but disappeared from radar at 7:11am. The airspace reopened as normal half an hour later.