During a busy night, NATO aircraft were scrambled as Russian drones, missiles, and rockets struck targets in Ukraine, reaching as far as the Khmelnytskyi Region near the Polish border.
According to a report from the Armed Forces Operational Command in Warsaw, Polish and allied aircraft were flying over southeast Poland while Russian ballistic rockets and Shahed attack drones targeted Ukrainian towns.
The command posted on Twitter just before 2 a.m. local time, warning residents of increased noise levels due to the allied flights. It was mentioned that Russian aviation activity had been intensifying, resulting in strikes in Western Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military reported that they intercepted all 17 Shahed drones and seven out of 14 missiles launched by Russia that night. Interceptions were made over multiple Ukrainian regions.
The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force’s Telegram account mentioned the launch of attack drones and cruise missiles in proximity to the Yeysk port city and Saratov Oblast in Russia.
Russia’s recent barrage marked the second consecutive day of missile launches and drone attacks. The strikes included targeting Italy on Wednesday while President Zelensky sought increased Western military support during a meeting with G7 leaders.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of enhancing air defenses in the face of Russian aggression, highlighting the need to utilize modern air defense systems effectively to protect people, cities, and positions.