Russian missiles target Kyiv
(Photo : ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Residents sit near the site of a rocket strike in a park after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, on March 24, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Poland demanded an explanation from Russia after one of its missiles entered Polish airspace during a Sunday attack on Ukraine.

Russia launched its third massive missile attack on Ukraine in the span of four days on Sunday.

Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command said in a statement that one of the cruise missiles launched by Russia violated Polish airspace.

The announcement on X stated the missile entered Polish space near the town of Oserdów (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds.

Military radar systems tracked the missile. It was redirected to Ukraine and left Polish airspace.

The NATO member said "all necessary procedures" were launched to protect Poland. That included activating F-16 fighter jets, the Associated Press reported.

Poland's defense minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said "The Russian missile would have been shot down had there been any indication it was heading towards a target in Poland."

Speaking to the Polish broadcaster TVN24, a deputy foreign minister said the foreign ministry intended to summon the Russian ambassador to "provide information and explanations," the Guardian reported.

The missile barrage against Ukraine came after Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to tie Ukraine to a deadly terrorist attack on a concert hall outside of Moscow. Ukraine has strongly denied any involvement, while an affiliate of the Islamic State terror group in Afghanistan, ISIS-K, has claimed responsibility.

The head of Kyiv's military administration said Russia used cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Kyiv was one of the targets.

Officials said 18 Russian missiles and 25 drones were shot down over the Ukrainian capital. There was only minor damage, according to the BBC.