Poland issues RCB alert for Lublin region after Russian air attack on Ukraine
The Government Security Centre sent the alert on Thursday, 15 October, to residents of many powiats in Lublin Voivodeship, saying Polish aircraft were operating in the country's airspace.
Alert sent to Lublin Voivodeship
The Government Security Centre (RCB) sent an SMS alert on Thursday, 15 October, to residents of several powiats in Lublin Voivodeship in eastern Poland. The alert was tied to a Russian air attack on Ukraine and said the situation was being monitored. RCB describes its alert system as a way of notifying the public about threats and emergencies, with information drawn from ministries and services such as the police, fire service and border guard.
The text of the alert, in English translation, read:
ATTENTION! Russian air attack on the territory of Ukraine. The situation is being monitored. Polish aircraft are operating in Polish airspace. Expect further messages.
Coverage across the region
The message went to residents of a long list of powiats, including the districts of puławski, kraśnicki, łęczyński, świdnicki and lubartowski, as well as the cities of Lublin, Chełm, Zamość and Biała Podlaska. Reports noted that the list covers both the larger cities and the smaller towns and villages of the region. The alert went to recipients in the affected areas, and the same districts appeared in the lists published by several outlets.
Military aircraft in the air
Polish military aircraft were reported to be operating in the country's airspace while the alert was active. The military command scrambled Air Force jets to guard Polish airspace, according to TVP Info, and one report described the jets patrolling the eastern border as standard procedure in situations of heightened risk. TVP Info also reported that Russian attacks on western Ukraine show no sign of easing.
Earlier warning and what comes next
The last warning of this kind sent to residents of the Lublin region came on Tuesday, 13 October. Residents were asked to keep calm and wait for further messages. The alert said the situation was being monitored and promised more communications, but the articles give no further details beyond the alert text.
- RCB sends a warning to residents of the Lublin region, the last such warning before the Thursday alert
- RCB sends an alert to residents of many Lublin region powiats over a Russian air attack on Ukraine
