Polish Air Force scrambles jets amid Russian long-range aviation activity

The Polish Armed Forces have raised their air defence alert level and scrambled fighter jets in response to heightened activity by Russian long-range aviation near NATO airspace, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced on July 12.

According to the statement posted on social media platform X, both Polish and allied air forces deployed alert pairs of fighter jets. Ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance units were also placed on the highest level of combat readiness.

❗️ Uwaga. W związku z aktywnością lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, wykonującego uderzenia na obiekty znajdujące się między innymi na zachodzie Ukrainy, rozpoczęło się operowanie polskiego i sojuszniczego lotnictwa w polskiej przestrzeni powietrznej.

Zgodnie z… pic.twitter.com/re1neYvJyl

— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) July 12, 2025

The announcement noted that Russian aircraft have been carrying out strikes against targets in Ukraine, including in its western regions, which border NATO territory. However, the Russian Ministry of Defence has not officially commented on the operation.