NEW DELHI: Russia on Sunday launched its third significant missile strike on Ukraine within the last four days, targeting Kyiv for the second time.
Poland’s military reported that a missile aimed at western Ukraine breached its airspace briefly. Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, revealed that Russia employed cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
Kyiv was put on high alert for over two hours as rockets approached Kyiv from the north in clusters. Popko disclosed that the assaults originated from the Engels district in Russia’s Saratov region.
There were no reported casualties or damages in Kyiv. Poland, a NATO member, confirmed a breach of its airspace at 4:23 a.m. by a Russian cruise missile targeting towns in western Ukraine.
“On March 24 at 4:23 a.m. (0323 GMT), there was a violation of Polish airspace by one of the cruise missiles launched overnight by long-range aviation of the Russian Federation,” the armed forces said in a post on X.
The missile intruded near the Polish town of Oserdów, lingering for 39 seconds before exiting. Military radar systems closely monitored the missile, with all necessary safety procedures promptly implemented to safeguard Polish airspace.
Meanwhile Poland said that it would demand an explanation from Moscow. Foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said in a statement that, “Above all, we ask the Russian Federation to end its terrorist airstrikes against the population and territory of Ukraine, to end the war and to focus on the country’s own internal problems.”
He said that the missile would have been shot down “had there been any indication it was heading for a target on Polish territory”.
The army said the missile, which was travelling at almost 800 kilometres per hour (500 mph) around 400 metres (1,300 feet) above the ground, had crossed about two kilometres over the border into Poland.
(With inputs from agencies)
Poland’s military reported that a missile aimed at western Ukraine breached its airspace briefly. Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration, revealed that Russia employed cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
Kyiv was put on high alert for over two hours as rockets approached Kyiv from the north in clusters. Popko disclosed that the assaults originated from the Engels district in Russia’s Saratov region.
There were no reported casualties or damages in Kyiv. Poland, a NATO member, confirmed a breach of its airspace at 4:23 a.m. by a Russian cruise missile targeting towns in western Ukraine.
“On March 24 at 4:23 a.m. (0323 GMT), there was a violation of Polish airspace by one of the cruise missiles launched overnight by long-range aviation of the Russian Federation,” the armed forces said in a post on X.
The missile intruded near the Polish town of Oserdów, lingering for 39 seconds before exiting. Military radar systems closely monitored the missile, with all necessary safety procedures promptly implemented to safeguard Polish airspace.
Meanwhile Poland said that it would demand an explanation from Moscow. Foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said in a statement that, “Above all, we ask the Russian Federation to end its terrorist airstrikes against the population and territory of Ukraine, to end the war and to focus on the country’s own internal problems.”
He said that the missile would have been shot down “had there been any indication it was heading for a target on Polish territory”.
The army said the missile, which was travelling at almost 800 kilometres per hour (500 mph) around 400 metres (1,300 feet) above the ground, had crossed about two kilometres over the border into Poland.
(With inputs from agencies)