NATO scrambled fighter jets in Poland in response to heavy Russian shelling of Ukraine near the Polish border. The Russian offensive, involving strategic bombers, targeted energy facilities amid freezing winter conditions, seen as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent attacks using British and American missiles on Russian defense sites. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy reported that over 40 missiles were fired, with at least 30 intercepted, alongside more than 70 drones. Russia’s attacks caused power outages and targeted critical infrastructure. Both nations are escalating their military actions as Ukraine appeals for enhanced Western air defenses amid ongoing hostilities.
NATO scrambled fighter jets early today in response to heavy Russian shelling of Ukraine near the border with Poland.
The Russian offensive, which hit vital energy facilities during the coldest weeks of winter, was led by President Vladimir Putin’s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.
The onslaught was seen as immediate retaliation for Tuesday’s Russian airstrikes by Ukrainian forces, the heaviest in the nearly three-year war.
Putin was particularly disturbed by Ukraine’s use of British Storm Shadow and American ATACMS missiles to attack key defense facilities, including a chemical factory in the Bryansk region.
NATO forces scrambled fighter jets in Poland and put them on full alert, the country’s operations command said.
“The mission’s fighter jet pair was scrambled and the ground air defense and radar reconnaissance systems reached maximum readiness,” the statement said.
“These measures are aimed at ensuring the security of areas adjacent to the threatened areas.”
President Zelenskiy described it as “another major Russian attack” and said Putin’s forces continued to focus attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure as Ukrainians faced the bitter winter cold. .
Ukrainians evacuate to Kiev metro station after Russian airstrikes on capital
Kiev and other parts of the country were targeted in attacks early this morning.
The onslaught was seen as immediate retaliation for Russia’s airstrikes by Ukraine on Tuesday (photo)
File image shows a French Air Force Rafale B standard F4 fighter jet flying as part of NATO’s enhanced air security (eAP) mission over the Baltic states on December 17, 2024.
“Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities to maintain normal life for the population,” he said.
He added that more than 40 missiles, including ballistic missiles, were fired in the attack. At least 30 of them were reportedly destroyed.
Additionally, more than 70 Russian attack drones were launched during the night.
President Zelenskiy appealed to Ukraine’s Western allies to quickly strengthen their air defenses, saying that “the commitments made by our partners at the NATO summit in Washington… remain partially unfulfilled.”
“During the morning attack, enemy cruise missiles were recorded within the territory of this region,” Andriy Sadovy, the mayor of the western city of Lviv, said.
Approximately seven TU-22M3 strategic bombers and six TU-95MS strategic bombers were flying targeting the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.
In the most ambitious airstrike of the entire war by Ukraine, 14 Western missiles and more than 200 drones reportedly struck Russian chemical plants, energy facilities and other defense-related targets on Tuesday. Russia had vowed to respond first to the attack.
“The actions of the Kiev regime, supported by Western leaders, will provoke retaliation,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Russia claimed to have shot down eight 2 million pound Storm Shadow missiles, but this could not be verified.
Today, Russia attacked with Kh-22 missiles, causing emergency power outages in several regions of Ukraine that were already suffering from devastating power shortages due to Putin’s previous attacks.
Sea-launched Kalibr missiles were also deployed. Gas facilities were also damaged.
Kiev’s Energy Minister Herman Khrushchenko warned that “the enemy has not stopped terrorizing Ukrainians.”
“Due to mass attacks, operators of transmission systems are applying precautionary measures of restrictions.
“Please wait for official announcements. Stay in shelters while danger persists!”
“The morning in Ukraine began with the firing of rockets,” said Svitlana Onishuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk military junta.
“The enemy used different types of weapons.
“In the Carpathian region, critical infrastructure facilities were targeted. Air defense forces were active in the region.
“Fortunately there were no injuries and the relevant services are operational at the scene.
“The situation is under control. I would like to thank our defenders and all involved for eliminating the effects of enemy attack.”
A 52-year-old man was reportedly killed in Kharkiv.
A 56-year-old nurse at a local outpatient clinic was killed as a result of shelling on the Kherson suburb of Antonivka, the region’s military administrator announced. [Oleksandr] Prokudin.
Ukraine also attacked Russia overnight, setting fire to the main Lukoil refinery in Volgograd.
The footage showed a huge explosion at a strategic plant.