Poland temporarily suspended flight operations at two airports near its border with Ukraine on Wednesday after Russia launched a large-scale overnight air attack on Ukrainian targets.
The Lublin and Rzeszów airports were temporarily closed as Polish military aircraft and air-defence systems were activated to protect the country's airspace. Polish authorities later said normal operations had resumed after the immediate threat decreased.
Poland's Operational Command said fighter aircraft were deployed as a precaution while ground-based air-defence and radar systems were placed on heightened alert. Officials reported that Polish airspace was not violated during the operation.
The response came as Russia carried out another wave of attacks against Ukraine involving missiles and large numbers of drones. Ukrainian authorities said the attacks caused casualties and damage in several areas, including Kyiv and surrounding regions.
The latest developments have also renewed debate about NATO's ability to defend its members against modern air attacks. A Reuters report citing Ukrainian and Western defence officials said the war has exposed weaknesses in NATO's ability to adapt quickly to drones, electronic warfare and missile threats.
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One concern highlighted by the report is air and missile defence. Russia's repeated attacks on Ukrainian cities have demonstrated the importance of systems capable of intercepting drones and missiles, while European NATO members remain heavily dependent on advanced US-made systems such as Patriot.
The war has also demonstrated how quickly military technology is changing. Ukrainian forces have gained extensive experience using drones, electronic warfare and other systems, while defence officials interviewed by Reuters said NATO's procurement and training processes can take considerably longer to adapt.
The situation has increased security concerns across NATO's eastern flank. Recent incidents involving suspected drones have affected several European countries, although authorities have not attributed every incident to Russia. In Lithuania, for example, a suspected drone alert that temporarily closed Vilnius airport was later determined to have involved a flock of birds.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said the alliance will strengthen its eastern defences and increase support for Ukraine following recent incidents near NATO territory. Polish officials have also called for continued coordination with their allies as the war continues.
The latest airport closures illustrate the wider security challenge facing countries bordering the conflict. While Poland has not reported a violation of its airspace during the latest attack, the repeated activation of its air-defence systems shows how Russia's war in Ukraine continues to create security concerns beyond the battlefield.