Poland and Latvia scramble jets as Russia strikes Ukraine

Poland and Latvia issued emergency air threat warnings on Monday evening, September 21, as Russia attacked Ukraine, prompting both countries to scramble military aircraft. Poland's Operational Command reported military aviation operations in its airspace due to Russian strikes on Ukraine, with ground air defense and radar systems put on alert. Latvia warned of a possible threat in Kraslava region bordering Belarus, and NATO Baltic air-policing fighters were put on combat readiness. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics previously stated European air defense systems might fail against multiple Russian missiles, and current air war developments could make Europe's conflict preparation plans outdated by mid-2027.