NATO deploys Norwegian F-35 jets in Poland during Russian attack on Ukraine
Photo: NATO first deployed Norwegian F-35s to protect Poland's skies on January 15 (af.mil)
Two Norwegian F-35 jets were deployed on January 15 to protect Poland's airspace due to Russian aircraft attacking Ukraine. This was the first time such an incident had occurred, according to NATO Air Command.
"Yesterday, two Norwegian F-35s stationed in Poland scrambled in response to a massive number of airborne Russian aircraft," the statement says.
It was the first instance that Norwegian fighter jets have taken to the air to actively protect Polish airspace.
Protecting Poland's skies with NATO aircraft
Recently, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that violations of Poland's airspace also affect Latvia and often involve drones in Romanian airspace.
"We have prepared an air defense system, which includes the airport in Rzeszów, now under NATO protection. Our allies – the United Kingdom, Germany, and Norway – are defending us at the airbase," he emphasized in an interview with Voice of America at the end of December.
He also noted that if Poland's airspace is violated, missiles or drones will be shot down.
"We will do this if it is physically possible," Kosiniak-Kamysz concluded.
Additionally, air defense systems, including NASAMS and F-35 fighter jets, have been deployed in Rzeszów to protect the logistical hub for assistance to Ukraine.
Russian attack on Ukraine on January 15
On January 15, after a nighttime drone attack, Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles from strategic aircraft. Emergency blackouts were introduced in a number of regions.
Russian attack primarily focused on western regions of Ukraine, with several areas reporting hits on critical infrastructure, including gas facilities. For more details on the impact of the attack, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
