US B-1B bomber flies alongside South Korean F-15 fighters during the ceremony celebrating the 76th Armed Forces Day, held at an air base in Seoul. Seongnam, South Korea, October 1, 2024. Getty Images/SOPA/Kim Jae-Hwan
The morning of September 20 in Poland began with an operational mobilization of the air forces in response to Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine. The information was confirmed by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, releasing the data on X (Twitter).
The explanation noted that due to Russia’s long-range aviation activity, which is striking Ukrainian territory, Polish and allied aviation began operations in Poland’s airspace. In accordance with the current procedures, the operational commander of the Armed Forces mobilized all available forces and resources.
It was noted that additional pairs of fighters were scrambled, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were brought to the highest level of combat readiness. This was aimed at ensuring security in areas adjacent to the threat zone.
“Due to the activity of Russia’s long-range aviation, which is striking Ukrainian territory, Polish and allied aviation began operating in Polish airspace. In accordance with current procedures, the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces mobilized all available forces and resources”
– Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces
Reaction of the defense forces and subsequent actions
Later it became known that Polish and allied aviation had completed its airspace patrols. The report stated that air force operations had been suspended due to Russia halting airstrikes on Ukraine, and the ground-based air defenses and radar reconnaissance returned to standard operational activity.
“The activity of Polish and allied aviation in our airspace has been halted due to Russia’s cessation of airstrikes on Ukraine. The activated ground-based air defenses and radar reconnaissance have returned to standard operational activity”
– Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces
Specific incidents in Ukraine
According to reports, overnight on September 20 Russia launched strikes on the Odesa region. As a result, a fire broke out at a farming enterprise, and a building housing agricultural equipment was destroyed. There were no casualties; the fire was promptly extinguished.
In the Dunayevetska hromada in Khmelnytskyi region, as a result of Russian shelling, a man was killed. Two people sought medical assistance. According to preliminary data from the head of the Khmelnytskyi regional military administration, two houses were destroyed and about 20 residential buildings were damaged.
In the Kyiv region, Russian forces struck three districts: Bucha, Boryspil, and Obukhiv. In the Obukhiv district a fire occurred in a private house. In the Bucha district, there were reports of a fire in five passenger cars, and in Boryspil – about ten garages were damaged.
These events confirm a high-alert regime in regions near the threat zone and emphasize the need for coordinated work between defense forces and regional administrations to minimize the consequences of threats from the aggressor.