Poland and NATO swiftly deployed fighter jets early Sunday in response to Russian airstrikes targeting western Ukraine, according to the Polish armed forces. The entire region of Ukraine was placed under air raid alerts, prompting the temporary closure of airspace near Poland’s southeastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszow until at least 0400 GMT. Flight tracking site Flightradar24 cited ‘unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security’ as the reason for the closure. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a ‘massive attack’ on the capital, with a five-story building partially destroyed by drone debris, leaving at least three people hospitalized. Tensions have intensified following repeated Russian incursions into NATO airspace this month. The Polish military stated on X that its actions, alongside allied forces, were preventive measures to secure airspace and protect citizens. Moscow has denied involvement in recent drone incidents over Denmark, which described the activity as the work of a ‘professional actor’ but found no evidence of Russian responsibility. Estonia also accused Russia of violating its airspace with warplanes. Meanwhile, NATO conducted an air defense mission over Poland in response to Russian drone incursions, including the downing of three Russian drones in Polish airspace on September 10. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged NATO nations to shoot down Russian planes in their airspace, while NATO has vowed to use ‘all necessary tools’ to defend itself. In a speech at the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied intentions to attack EU or NATO states but warned of a ‘decisive response’ to any aggression.