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Two airports in southeastern Poland suspended flights after military aircraft were sent into the skies in response to a new wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said operations at Lublin and Rzeszow airports were temporarily halted because the military needed freedom to operate in the area.
The closures do not mean the airports themselves were attacked. They are a security measure designed to keep civilian planes away while Polish fighter jets patrol the country’s eastern airspace.
Still, the sight of civilian airports repeatedly shutting down to make room for military aircraft is another reminder that the war in Ukraine is no longer a distant event for neighboring countries.
Poland scrambled fighter jets as Russia launched missiles and drones at several Ukrainian regions, including areas close to the Polish border. Air defense and radar systems were also placed on alert.
According to Reuters, more than 20 people were injured in attacks across Ukraine. Poland said its airspace was not breached and described the military response as preventive.
It was not the first disruption of the day. Both airports had stopped operations earlier before reopening, only to suspend flights again as military activity continued.
Rzeszow is particularly important because of its location near Ukraine. Since the war began, the area has become a major gateway for officials, humanitarian assistance, and military support heading into the country.
For ordinary travellers, the immediate concern is disruption. Flights may be delayed, diverted, or cancelled with little notice whenever military aircraft are operating nearby. Passengers due to travel through either airport have been advised to check directly with their airline before setting out.
There are no direct indications that flights between Cyprus and Poland’s main airports have been affected. However, Cypriot passengers connecting through Poland or travelling onward to southeastern parts of the country could still face delays.
*Source: Reuters
