The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command said on September 20 that during the Russian airstrikes on Ukraine that day, the aircraft of the Polish and NATO Allied Air Forces had emergency takeoff alert "to ensure the security of Polish airspace".

At 5:30 p.m. local time, the command said on social media that as a result of the Russian long-range air force launched an airstrike in the territory of Ukraine, the serviced combat aircraft took emergency flight, and ground air defense systems and radar detection systems entered the highest alert state.

About an hour and a half later, the command said that with the end of Russian air strikes, the related operation had ended and that the operation was "preventive." Poland's ground air defense system and radar detection system have also returned to normal.