On Saturday, February 7, 2026, two southeastern Polish airports—Rzeszow and Lublin—reopened after a tense period of military aviation activity prompted by a dramatic escalation in the war across the border in Ukraine. The closures, which began earlier that day, were a direct response to a massive wave of Russian missile and drone strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands without power and heat as a deep freeze gripped the region.
According to Reuters, the Polish army’s operational command was quick to reassure the public: “There was no violation of Polish airspace.” The military described the operation as “preventive,” emphasizing that it was designed to secure and protect the airspace near threatened regions adjacent to Ukraine. The command later announced on social media that the operation had concluded and thanked NATO and the German air force, “whose aircraft helped ensure safety in Polish skies today.”
The airports in Rzeszow and Lublin, located just a stone’s throw from the Ukrainian border, are not just regional transport hubs—they’re of strategic importance. Rzeszow, in particular, has become NATO’s main logistics hub for arms supplies to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion back in February 2022, according to FlightRadar24 and statements from Polish authorities. With the war entering its fourth year, the region has grown accustomed to heightened security measures, though Saturday’s events brought fresh anxiety to local residents and travelers alike.
The closures were first reported by Poland’s Air Navigation Services Agency, which explained on the social platform X that the move was necessary “to ensure the free operation of military aviation.” As NATO and Polish military aircraft patrolled the skies, civilian flights were grounded. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a notice to airmen, warning that both airports were inaccessible due to military activity related to state security.
For those watching flight paths online, the situation was clear: NATO aircraft were operating in the area. According to FlightRadar24, the military presence was unmistakable, and the closures were directly linked to the alliance’s response to the Russian attacks on Ukraine. It wasn’t the first time this year that the airports had suspended operations; similar closures occurred just last month, though authorities described those as routine drills with no direct threat to Polish airspace.
But this time, the tension was palpable. The trigger was a renewed Russian onslaught against Ukraine’s energy grid. According to Ukrainian officials cited by Reuters and other outlets, Russia launched its largest attack of the year overnight, firing approximately 70 missiles and unleashing 450 drones on cities and infrastructure across at least six regions: Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. The strikes marked the end of a week-long pause in major attacks—a pause that had been brokered between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to AP and statements from Ukrainian leaders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy painted a grim picture in the aftermath. “Tens of thousands of people were left without heat as temperatures dropped below minus 20 degrees Celsius,” he reported, adding that in Kyiv alone, more than 1,100 apartment buildings lost power and many residents sought shelter overnight in the city’s metro stations. The attacks, which targeted power stations and other vital infrastructure, were described by Ukrainian authorities as a calculated move by Moscow to maximize civilian hardship during the harsh winter.
The timing of the strikes was no accident. Ukrainian officials alleged that Russia had used the pause in attacks—requested by Trump during ongoing diplomatic efforts—as an opportunity to stockpile weapons rather than pursue any meaningful diplomatic engagement. Zelenskyy did not mince words: “Moscow used the pause to stockpile weapons rather than support diplomacy.”
Meanwhile, the international diplomatic dance continued. As the missiles fell, U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials were meeting in Abu Dhabi to discuss elements of a potential peace plan. White House officials, quoted by AP, insisted that negotiations would proceed despite the escalation, though Ukraine was still waiting for a formal U.S. response to the latest attacks. Zelenskyy noted pointedly that “the pause on energy strikes had been proposed by Washington during ongoing diplomatic efforts.”
Back in Poland, the military’s swift action was widely viewed as a necessary precaution. The operational command underscored that the measures were “preventive and aimed at securing and protecting airspace, particularly in regions adjacent to areas facing threats.” Once the immediate danger had passed, the command announced, “Ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activities.” The airports resumed civilian operations, and life in Rzeszow and Lublin began to return to its usual rhythm—though the sense of unease lingered.
For local residents, the closures were a stark reminder of the region’s proximity to a war that shows few signs of abating. Both cities have become accustomed to the sight of military aircraft overhead and the occasional disruption of daily life. Still, the knowledge that Rzeszow serves as NATO’s main logistical artery for arms shipments to Ukraine adds a layer of vulnerability that is never far from mind.
This latest episode also highlighted the delicate balance NATO must maintain in supporting Ukraine while avoiding direct confrontation with Russia. The alliance’s presence in Polish airspace, and the close coordination with German and Polish forces, served as a visible deterrent—one that, for now, has kept the conflict from spilling across the border.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the events of February 7 serve as a sobering illustration of how interconnected the region’s security has become. The ripple effects of Russia’s campaign against Ukraine are felt not just in Kyiv or Kharkiv, but in the airports, airspace, and everyday routines of neighboring Poland. Each escalation brings with it a new set of risks and a renewed sense of urgency among NATO allies to safeguard their borders—and their people.
While the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin have reopened and air defense systems have returned to normal, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. The war’s front lines may lie in Ukraine, but its shadows stretch well into the heart of Europe, reminding all involved that peace, for now, remains elusive.