NATO jets were scrambled after Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine since the war began, using over 500 drones and missiles.
NATO aircraft were scrambled overnight as Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, reportedly deploying over 500 drones and missiles in a single wave.
According to Ukraine’s air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat, the attack was one of the largest since Russia’s invasion began in 2022. Several Ukrainian cities were targeted with cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles, and Iranian-made Shahed drones.
In Kremenchuk, dozens of explosions lit up the night sky as fires raged across the city. Ukrainian defence systems intercepted 475 out of 537 aerial threats, the military said.
Poland’s operational command confirmed the activation of NATO response forces.
“Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace,” it said. “The on-duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
The statement added that these actions aim to secure NATO’s eastern flank amid escalating threats near the border.