CNN
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Poland said it fired the plane after a Russian cruise missile aimed at Ukraine entered its airspace on Sunday morning.
“At 4:23 a.m. on March 24, one of the cruise missiles launched tonight by the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation violated Polish airspace,” the operational command of the Polish Armed Forces said in X.
“The object was flown to Poland [air]In space near the village of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and spent 39 seconds in it,” the operational command said. “It was observed by military radar systems throughout its flight.”
It came after Ukrainian officials said Russia had fired about 20 missiles and seven Shahed attack drones at Lviv, a western Ukrainian region near the Polish border. Bombs were also reported to have exploded in several places in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said the missiles targeted critical infrastructure, but no attacks were reported in the city of Lviv itself.
Operations Command stated in X that both Polish and allied aircraft were activated.
“All necessary procedures have been implemented to ensure the safety of Polish airspace,” the command added.
“The Polish military continues to monitor the situation on Ukrainian territory and is on constant alert to ensure the safety of Polish airspace,” it said.
The last time Russia violated Polish airspace was on December 29, 2023. The Polish military then said an “unidentified airborne object” had entered its airspace from Ukrainian territory, and Poland's most senior military official later said “all the signs are there”. A Russian missile.
Meanwhile, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a telegram that there had been a series of explosions in the Ukrainian capital and missile fragments had fallen in the Desniansky district.
“Explosions in Capital. Air defenses are active. Don't leave your shelters,” Klitschko said.
He said that the fire and rescue teams are on their way to the spot.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
