Russia has fired missiles towards the Polish border, prompting Nato to deploy F-16 jets in the air in response.
The missiles soon veered away from Poland and landed in Ukraine instead, hitting intended Russian targets including a marine drone plant in Mykolaiv.
However, in the wake of intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, Nato scrambled three of its war planes.
A spokesman for the operational command of Poland’s armed forces said they are “closely monitoring the situation”.
Russian missiles launched at Ukraine veered towards Poland, before hitting their intended target of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv
Getty/Reuters
They added: “Intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation is being observed due to missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
“All necessary procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of Polish airspace have been launched.
“We warn you that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may cause increased noise levels, especially in the southeast area of the country.”
Poland is a Nato member, which means any aggression against it could lead to a triggering of the military alliance’s Article 5.
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The Article states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all 31 nations, and if the attacked member wants to fight back, others shall assist with armed force if necessary.
In November 2022, Poland was struck by a missile near its border with Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of two people.
Despite initial reports suggesting that it was of Russian origin, it was later determined that the missile was likely misfired from Ukraine.
The missiles fired by Moscow formed a barrage of assaults against the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. One person died in Mykolaiv and at least 10 people have been reported as wounded so far across the other two cities.
In Kyiv, fallen debris from the downed weapons cut off electricity to parts of the capital.
The missiles fired by Moscow formed a barrage of assaults against the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv
Reuters
Smoke rises from a burning building damaged during a Russian missile strike
Reuters
The strikes have killed one and wounded at least 10 others
Reuters
Following a nationwide air raid alert, residents were sheltered in underground tube stations as explosions were heard across the capital.
Vitaliy Klychko, the city’s mayor, warned: “Explosions in the city. Air defence is working. Stay in shelters!
“An apartment building caught fire in Holosiivsky district. Firefighters and rescue unit are on its way to the scene.
“And in the Dnipro district of the capital, there are currently two injured people. Both were treated by medics on the spot.”
Kharkiv, the second-largest city in the country, was hit by at least four explosions. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said: “We have information about non-residential area being hit. As for the injured, clarification is underway.”