According to The Express, NATO fighter planes were deployed after Russia launched an extensive missile and drone attack targeting Ukrainian civilian areas, energy infrastructure, and military installations.
The attack, which claimed at least four lives and left numerous injured, occurred shortly after Donald Trump's announcement of ongoing negotiations with Moscow.
In Poltava, the strikes devastated residential buildings, while Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, suffered significant civilian casualties from drone attacks.
NATO scrambles jets while Trump discusses peace with Moscow
Russian forces employed strategic nuclear bombers, including Tu-95s and Tu-22s, to deploy Kh-22 missiles in the assault. The scale of the offensive prompted NATO to activate Polish and allied aircraft along its eastern boundary. Warsaw's operation command issued an alert regarding the Russian strikes, particularly those targeting western Ukraine.
President Trump addressed the situation from the Oval Office. When questioned about direct communication with Putin, he remained evasive.
Trump stated: "We are having very serious discussions about that war, trying to get it ended."
Multiple Ukrainian regions suffer widespread damage from strikes
The attack's impact spread across several Ukrainian regions, causing emergency power outages in Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Poltava, Sumy, and Kharkiv. Zaporizhzhia faced at least 18 Shahed drone strikes, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and residential buildings. The historic Hotel Bristol in Odesa's city center also sustained damage during the assault.
Andriy Yermak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, offered a stern assessment of the situation:
Poltava, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia - attacks on residential buildings, on civilians, are typical tactics of the Russian army. They also even wipe out villages in their own Kursk region with people, shelling them with KAB [aerial bombs].... The true face of Russia is this. Murderers who have absolutely no respect for any leader in the world, or any other nation. There's only fear, which does not allow them to do the same in Europe. For now.
Russian aggression escalates amid international tension
The Vasylkiv military airfield, located 25 miles south of Kyiv, was reportedly among the targets. NATO's response included heightened readiness of ground-based air defense and radio-location reconnaissance systems. These measures aim to ensure security in areas adjacent to the conflict zone.
In Kharkiv's Kholodnohirskyi district, a drone crash resulted in one death and five injuries, as confirmed by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. The situation in Poltava proved equally dire, with at least three fatalities and ten injuries reported after a missile strike on an apartment building.
Strategic implications unfold in Eastern Europe
The recent Russian assault on Ukraine represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, occurring against the backdrop of diplomatic discussions between former President Trump and Moscow. NATO's immediate response, including the deployment of fighter jets and increased military readiness along its eastern border, demonstrates the alliance's commitment to regional security.
The attacks, which targeted multiple Ukrainian cities and resulted in civilian casualties, highlight the continuing humanitarian crisis while raising concerns about the potential further escalation of hostilities in Eastern Europe.
