'Anti-aircraft forces' had to be deployed yet again after the four Russian fighter jets were spotted.

11:11, Sun, Nov 30, 2025 Updated: 11:34, Sun, Nov 30, 2025

MIG-31 fighter jet aircraft

A Russian Mikoyan MIG-31 fighter jet aircraft (Image: GETTY)

NATO has once again been forced into action after four Russian fighter jets sparked an urgent response near the border with Poland. The MiG-31 aircraft flew towards Russia's western border, Bild am Sonntag reported, citing NATO sources. Poland and Germany both placed their air defence systems on high alert.

Germany reportedly activated two Patriot air defence systems at Rzeszow Airport, which facilitates much of the West's military aid to Ukraine. Despite responses from two countries, the Russian jets later returned, Bild reported. A German Air Force spokesperson told the outlet: "There was activity in Russian airspace on Friday, and the air defense forces deployed in Poland responded. This included the two Patriot systems of the Air Force."

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The Polish military also said it scrambled fighter jets overnight on Friday in response to Russian drone and missle attacks on Ukraine, including ones on Kyiv that killed two and injured 27.

It said the move was "aimed at securing the airspace and its protection, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened regions".

On Saturday, the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems were returned to standard operational activity.

However, the Polish Armed Forces told Newsweek that it continued "to monitor the situation in Ukraine on an ongoing basis and remain in constant readiness to safeguard Polish airspace".

The military confirmed that Poland's airspace has not been violated, and its air operations were part of its Operation Wschodnia Zorza.

As well as the support from Germany, the Spanish and Swedish air forces also reinforced Poland's response.

Poland’s armed forces in a statement: "Fighter jets have been scrambled, and ground-based air defense systems as well as radar reconnaissance systems have reached readiness status.

"These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing the airspace and its protection, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened regions."