Major alert as Putin fires Russian cruise missile over NATO territory for 39 seconds sparking growing concern over escalation of the Ukraine war

A Russian cruise missile flew over NATO territory for 39 seconds overnight causing a major alert amid fears of an escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Allied warplanes rushed to “ensure the security” of Polish airspace after the raid at 4:23 local time.

The Polish armed forces confirmed the incident in a statement on X, saying: “There was a violation of Polish airspace by one of the cruise missiles launched overnight by the long-range aviation of the Russian Federation.”

‘The object entered Polish space near the city of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and remained there for 39 seconds. Throughout the flight it was observed by military radar systems.’

The military said the missile traveled about 1.2 miles into Polish territory and that Polish and allied aircraft had been activated, but that the airspace over Poland was now safe.

The potentially dangerous breach by Vladimir Putin’s forces occurred during a Russian attack in Ukraine’s Lviv region.

The head of Poland’s National Security Office, Jacek Siewiera, said he spoke with the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. “The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces was informed immediately,” he said.

The Polish Armed Forces claim that the Russian missile entered the country’s airspace at a depth of one and a quarter kilometers.

Russia deployed at least 29 Kh-101 and Kh-555 missiles in the night strikes, as well as 28 Shahed attack drones in Ukraine.

Of those, 18 missiles and 25 drones were shot down, Air Force Commander General Mykola Oleshchuk said.

Russia is believed to have attacked infrastructure in Stryi, Lviv region, after cruise missiles were launched from 14 Tu-95MS strategic bombers.

Meanwhile, Ukraine subjected Sevastopol in Russia-annexed Crimea to some of the most intense bombing of the 25-month war.

There were huge explosions in the city which are believed to have been caused by Storm Shadow missiles, of the type supplied to Ukraine by the UK.

There were reports that the communications center of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was attacked. A 65-year-old man was killed and four people were reportedly injured in the attacks.

However, it is not known if there were more victims in the attacked communications center.

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev reported a “massive” attack by Ukraine.

Russian air defenses claimed to have shot down more than 10 missiles and numerous drones.

The OSINT technical project said the Ukrainians had attacked a fleet installation and spectacular video showed the moment of impact.

“At least three Ukrainian Storm Shadow cruise missiles… hit an important communication node of the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” they reported.

The Crimean Wind Telegram channel said: “The missile impact occurred at the main special communication node of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Mykola Muzika Street.”

Ukrainian media Pravda reported: “Three Storm Shadow cruise missiles hit a building in the center of Sevastopol at once.”

The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force thanked “the pilots and sailors for their successful combat work.”

More explosions were later heard in the city and elsewhere in Crimea. An oil depot in the village of Gvardeisky was attacked.