Poland puts two Patriot missile systems on high alert after Russian MiG-31 flight
Illustrative photo: Poland has put two Patriot complexes on combat readiness (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Poland has put its Patriot air defense systems on combat alert following the flight of Russian MiG-31 fighter jets, reports Bild.
On November 28, four fighters carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles took off over the Baltic Sea heading west, without leaving Russian airspace.
In response, Poland activated two Patriot systems at Rzeszów airport. A NATO source told the media that shortly after, the Russian fighters turned around and returned to base.
About the MiG-31
The MiG-31 is a Soviet two-seat supersonic all-weather long-range interceptor, a modernized version of the Soviet single-seat MiG-25 fighter from the 1970s.
The aircraft was primarily designed to cover the USSR’s territory against cruise missile strikes from the Arctic, where there was no continuous radar coverage.
During the full-scale Russian invasion, Russia often uses the MiG-31K to launch Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Background
Previously, it was reported that Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft conducting reconnaissance in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Russian Il-20 was on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off, while not violating Polish airspace.
