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 triggering a major alert amid fears over an escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Allied war planes scrambled to 'ensure the security' of Polish airspace after the incursion at 4.23am 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 long-range aviation of the Russian Federation.

'The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds. During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems.'

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

Meanwhile Ukraine subjected Russian-annexed Sevastopol in Crimea to one of the heaviest bombardments of the 25-month war (pictured above: Sevastopol under missile attack) 

An explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, on March 24

The Polish armed forces said in a statement: 'The object entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds. During the entire flight, it was observed by military radar systems'

There were huge explosions in the city believed to be from Storm Shadow missiles, the kind supplied to Ukraine by the UK

Police officers inspect a part of a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile, intercepted during a missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a park in Kyiv, on March 24

The potentially dangerous violation by Vladimir Putin's forces came during a Russian strike on the Lviv region of Ukraine.

The head of the Polish National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, said he talked with the head of the Ministry of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. 'The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was immediately informed,' he said.

The Polish Armed Forces claim that the Russian missile entered the country's airspace to a depth of one and a quarter miles.

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

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

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

Meanwhile Ukraine subjected Russian-annexed Sevastopol in Crimea to one of the heaviest bombardments of the 25-month war.

There were huge explosions in the city believed to be from Storm Shadow missiles, the kind supplied to Ukraine by the UK.

There were reports that the communications centre of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was hit. A 65-year-old man died and four people were wounded in the strikes, said reports.

However it is not known if there were more casualties at the targeted communications centre.

Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhaev reported a 'massive' attack by Ukraine.

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

Police officers inspect a part of a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile, intercepted during a missile strike, earlier today

There were reports that the communications centre of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was hit (pictured: black smoke over Sevastopol following the Ukrainian missile attack)

An explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on March 24

A police officer inspects a part of a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile, intercepted during a missile strike, in a park in Kyiv on March 24

The OSINTtechnical project said the Ukrainians had struck a fleet facility, and a spectacular video showed the moment of the hit. 

'At least three Ukrainian Storm Shadow cruise missiles… hit a major communication node of the Russian Black Sea Fleet,' they reported.

Telegram channel Crimean Wind said: 'The hit of the missiles was at the main special communication node of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Mykola Muzika Street.'

Ukrainian outlet Pravda reported: 'Three Storm Shadow cruise missiles hit a building in the centre of Sevastopol at once.'

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

Further explosions were later heard in the city and other locations in Crimea. An oil depot in the village of Gvardeisky was hit.