Warsaw [Poland], January 2 : Amid intensified Russian bombardment in Ukraine, Poland has activated its fighter jets to protect its airspace, a week after one Russian missile crossed into Polish territory, CNN reported on Tuesday.
Poland a NATO member that shares a border with Ukraine said it activated two pairs of F-16 fighter jets and an allied air tanker early Tuesday morning.
This came after Russia launched its latest deadly missile attack on Ukraine, targeting the capital Kyiv, and the eastern Kharkiv region.
"We would like to inform you that intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation is being observed, which is related to carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine," Poland's Operational Command wrote on X.
It said it activated a pair of fighter jets stationed at a base in Lask and in Krzesiny "in order to ensure the safety of Polish airspace."
The decision comes days after the Polish military said it believed a Russian missile had entered and then left Polish airspace, CNN reported.
Russia had stepped up its strikes on Ukraine over the New Year period and on Friday unleashed the 'biggest missile attack' since the start of its 'full-scale invasion' nearly two years ago.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski summoned Russia's charge d'affaires Andrei Ordash and gave him a note requesting an explanation. However, Moscow said it "will not give explanations" until concrete evidence is presented, CNN reported citing Russian state media RIA Novosti.
Ordash told RIA Novosti that the note "contained only unfounded accusations," adding that Poland had "refused to provide evidence that the missile was of Russian origin."
Russia mounted another heavy missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight into Tuesday, striking residential buildings and civilian infrastructure across the country after the Kremlin pledged that Ukraine's attack on the Russian city of Belgorod "will not go unpunished".
At least 25 people were killed and 108 others injured in the Ukrainian attack Saturday, CNN reported citing Russian authorities. Russia's Defence Ministry said it would avenge the "crime" and its military has bombarded Ukraine with missiles every day since.
At least five people were killed and 112 injured in the attacks Tuesday morning, Ukrainian officials said.
Russia's Defence Ministry said it had targeted Ukraine's "military-industrial complex" and "the purpose of the strike has been achieved."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and vowed that "Russia will be held accountable" for every life taken.
"Our air defence soldiers have been doing an incredible job for three days now. Since December 31, the Russian inhumans have already used about 170 'Shaheds' [drones] and dozens of missiles of various types. The vast majority of them were aimed at civilian objects," Zelensky said in a video address on Telegram.
The Belgorod city in Russia, was targeted again by Ukrainian strikes on Tuesday, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Russia's Defence Ministry said 17 missiles were shot down over the region and reported three separate attacks in the early afternoon local time, CNN reported.
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