The Polish army’s operational command said no violations of national airspace had occurred during the period of heightened military activity. In a post on the social media platform X, the command thanked NATO and the German air force, “whose aircraft helped ensure safety in Polish skies today.”

“Operations of military aviation in our airspace, related to strikes by the Russian Federation on Ukraine, have been concluded,” the command said. “Ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activities.”

Polish authorities emphasized that the operation was precautionary. The deployment aimed to secure airspace in areas adjacent to regions threatened by Russian attacks, the army said. Both airports, located in southeastern Poland near the Ukrainian border, had suspended civilian flights while military aviation operations were ongoing, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said.

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Rzeszow airport functions as NATO’s primary hub for arms shipments to Ukraine, with cargo flights transporting military equipment and supplies from Western allies. Lublin, also in southeastern Poland, serves as a regional airport handling civilian traffic, including commercial flights. Both facilities resumed operations after military personnel confirmed the situation had stabilized.

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 posted on X that the airport closures involved NATO aircraft operating in the area, highlighting coordination between Polish and allied forces during the preventive measures. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a notice to airmen designating both airports as temporarily inaccessible due to military activity related to state security.

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Ukraine reported on Saturday that Russian forces had launched a large-scale overnight air assault targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including power stations in western regions of the country. The attacks caused widespread electricity disruptions but did not result in reported casualties, according to Ukraine’s Energy Ministry.

Poland’s military response was not directly linked to incursions by Russian aircraft into Polish airspace. “There was no violation of Polish airspace,” the operational command said, reiterating that the measures were preventive. Officials said the temporary closure of airports and the deployment of military aircraft aimed to ensure that any potential spillover from the Ukrainian conflict could be addressed without endangering civilians or critical infrastructure in Poland.

The current closures echo similar preventive measures taken last month, when both airports temporarily suspended operations due to routine military aviation activity. At that time, authorities said there had been no threat to Polish airspace, and operations resumed after a brief period.

The Polish military and NATO coordination in southeastern Poland reflects broader concerns about potential escalation along NATO’s eastern flank amid Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. Southeastern Poland borders Ukraine’s Lviv, Volyn, and Transcarpathian regions, which have been targets of Russian strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure. NATO and allied forces have conducted training and readiness operations in the area to ensure the security of neighboring territories.

NATO’s presence in the region includes air surveillance, rapid reaction forces, and logistical hubs for the transfer of military equipment. Rzeszow airport, in particular, has become a focal point for the movement of Western military aid to Ukraine. German air force aircraft assisted in operations during Saturday’s closure, according to Poland’s operational command.

Flight restrictions during the preventive operation affected both civilian and military traffic, although authorities said essential operations were maintained under strict control. Polish air traffic controllers worked in coordination with NATO partners to ensure that aircraft movements were safe and that civilian flights could resume promptly once the risk had subsided.

The FAA notice to airmen emphasized that the inaccessibility of Lublin and Rzeszow airports was temporary and related to measures to ensure state security, rather than any violation of international airspace. Pilots were advised to reroute flights accordingly and follow air traffic instructions.

Poland’s preventive military measures underscore the country’s ongoing role as a frontline state in the NATO alliance, bordering a conflict zone and hosting allied forces to support Ukraine. Both Lublin and Rzeszow airports are located in areas where the Polish military maintains radar, air defense, and early warning systems capable of monitoring potential threats from cross-border incidents.

Authorities said that normal operations had resumed at both airports by Saturday afternoon. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance units returned to standard operational duties, allowing civilian flights to continue without disruption.

Local media reported that the temporary suspension caused minor delays in regional travel but did not affect international cargo operations significantly, as most military and NATO flights had been coordinated to avoid major traffic conflicts.

While the temporary measures were precautionary, they highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing countries neighboring Ukraine. Poland’s military command stressed that these operations were intended to protect civilians and infrastructure, and not to engage in direct military action.

Officials said the situation would continue to be monitored, with airspace surveillance maintained in southeastern Poland to respond quickly to any potential threats. Authorities also confirmed that routine cooperation with NATO forces, including joint exercises and operational planning, would continue in the region to ensure readiness.

The reopening of Lublin and Rzeszow airports restores normal flight operations in southeastern Poland and concludes the latest period of heightened military alert. Civilian and NATO traffic can now proceed under standard protocols, though the Polish military has indicated it will remain prepared for further preventive measures if necessary.