Poland scrambled fighter jets and deployed air defense systems after detecting Russian long-range aircraft near Ukrainian airspace early Tuesday.
Polish Military Response
In a statement published before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland announced the activation of military operations in Polish airspace. This follows activity by long-range Russian Federation aircraft conducting strikes on Ukrainian territory.
The command deployed necessary forces and resources, scrambling fighter jets and an early warning aircraft. Ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached full operational readiness. These actions are preventative, aiming to secure and protect Polish airspace, particularly near threatened areas.
The Operational Command continues to monitor the situation, with its forces remaining ready for immediate reaction.
Russia Attacks Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure
Monday night into Tuesday, Russia launched large-scale attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Drones and missiles struck targets including Kyiv and Kharkiv. Kyiv authorities reported damage to residential buildings and other structures in several districts, with reports of civilian injuries.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terechov stated the Russian attacks are unprecedented, targeting energy infrastructure with the clear goal of causing maximum damage and leaving the city without heating during a severe cold snap. To prevent pipes from freezing, heating was turned off in 820 buildings supplied by one of the city’s largest combined heat and power plants. Overnight temperatures in Kyiv and Kharkiv fell below -20°C.
End of Informal Energy Truce?
On the previous day, analysts from Ukraine and Russia reported both countries were “interested in stopping attacks on energy infrastructure objects.” The informal energy truce expired at midnight on February 2. For several days prior, Russian drones and missiles had avoided Ukrainian transmission networks, while Ukrainian strikes had avoided Russian fuel depots. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow confirmed a formal short-term truce existed.
Russian attacks had previously targeted Ukrainian transport and medical infrastructure. On January 1, 15 miners were killed in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast when a drone struck their bus returning from work.