According to Poland’s General Command of the Armed Forces, pairs of quick-reaction fighter jets and an early-warning aircraft were dispatched in the early hours of the morning, while ground-based air-defense and air-surveillance systems were placed on maximum alert.

By 06:00 local time, nearly all of Ukraine was under air-raid warnings due to incoming Russian missile and drone attacks.

Heightened concern after sabotage incidents

Warsaw announced yesterday that it would raise the threat level on certain railway lines and deploy the military to protect critical infrastructure. This decision follows a series of sabotage incidents allegedly linked to Russia, including an explosion on the Warsaw–Lublin railway line, which connects the capital to the Ukrainian border.

Reflecting the growing tension, Poland’s Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła, stated that Russia “has begun preparing for war” and that Poland “has entered a pre-war phase.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also informed parliament that two suspects had been identified in the railway sabotage case—Ukrainian nationals allegedly cooperating with Russian intelligence—who have since fled to Belarus. He emphasized that the government is introducing “Threat Level Charlie,” the third-highest alert, on specific rail routes, while the rest of the country remains at Level Two.

Kremlin accuses Poland of ‘Russophobia’

The Kremlin reacted angrily, accusing Poland of succumbing to “russophobia” after Warsaw directly linked the railway explosion to suspects connected with Russian intelligence.

“Russia is blamed for every manifestation of hybrid or direct warfare,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. He added that Poland is trying to “outpace Europe” in anti-Russian sentiment and that “russophobia is flourishing there.”

At least 32 injured in Kharkiv drone strikes

Meanwhile, at least 32 people were injured overnight in Kharkiv during the third consecutive night of Russian drone attacks, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. He described a “massive attack” involving at least 11 drones, one of which struck a nine-story building that subsequently caught fire.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that multiple explosions were heard shortly before midnight as Russian drones targeted the city.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has struck Ukrainian cities almost daily with drones and missiles. As winter approaches and temperatures drop, Moscow has intensified attacks on energy facilities, while Ukraine continues targeting fuel depots, oil refineries, and other sites inside Russia.