NATO Jets Scrambled as Russia Launches Massive Attack on Ukraine

Kyiv Independent

In a rapid escalation of tensions, NATO jets were scrambled after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure near the Polish border. Poland responded decisively to the threat by deploying fighter jets to safeguard its airspace against potential Russian incursions, whether accidental or deliberate.

Key actions by Poland included:

• Activating all available military forces and resources.
• Placing air defence and radar systems on the highest state of readiness.

The attack marked one of the largest assaults on Ukraine’s energy facilities in recent months. Russia launched a total of 117 missiles and drones:

• 77 of these were intercepted and destroyed by Ukraine’s air force.
• Critical infrastructure in the Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions sustained significant damage.

The wide-ranging attack saw Russia employ a variety of missiles and drones, highlighting the scale and complexity of its military operations:

• Iskander ballistic missiles launched from the Belgorod region.
• Kalibr missiles fired from the Black Sea.
• Kh-101/Kh-55 cruise missiles from the Volgograd region.
• Shahed attack drones and decoys launched from multiple locations, including Bryansk, Millerovo, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

Russia’s Justification

The Russian defence ministry claimed that the strikes targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, framing the attack as a response to recent Ukrainian bombardments of Russian territory. Moscow warned of further retaliatory actions should Ukrainian attacks continue.

The assault appeared strategically aimed at Ukraine’s energy grid, exacerbating civilian hardships during the winter months:

• Emergency power outages were reported across six regions.
• Damage to critical infrastructure intensified Ukraine’s ongoing energy crisis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes and called for immediate international support to bolster Ukraine’s defences:

• Urging partners to provide licenses for the production of air defence systems and missiles.
• Emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities to counter future threats.

The escalating conflict and Russia’s increasingly aggressive tactics have heightened tensions in the region, bringing NATO and its member states closer to the brink of direct confrontation with Moscow. The situation remains fluid as both sides brace for further developments.