Poland Closes Key Airports Following Massive Russian Strikes on Ukraine
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency issued an urgent notice stating that civilian flights were halted to ensure the "free operation of military aviation" and to secure the country’s airspace. The Polish Operational Command confirmed that both Polish and allied NATO fighter jets were scrambled to patrol the border areas in response to the heightened aerial threat.
The closure of Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport is particularly significant, as it serves as the primary international logistics hub for NATO’s military aid and weapons supplies to Ukraine. Due to its proximity to the border, Polish and U.S. authorities maintain a high level of security around the facility.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a notification to pilots, declaring the airspace over these two airports inaccessible due to "unplanned military activity related to state security." Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed intensive NATO air patrols in the region during the closure.
This incident follows the resumption of large-scale Russian strikes on Ukraine, reportedly involving nearly 70 missiles and 450 drones, marking one of the largest coordinated attacks this year. The strikes targeted critical infrastructure in several regions, including Kyiv and Odesa, as winter temperatures dropped below -20°C.
Polish military radar and air defense systems remain on "maximum alert" to prevent any accidental or intentional violation of NATO territory. While similar closures occurred last month, authorities describe the current situation as more critical due to the scale of the ongoing Russian offensive.
