Polish-aligned aircraft were scrambled early on Saturday after Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine, including a strike that was targeted near the western border with Poland.
It came hours after NATO intercepted three Russian jets across Estonian airspace and Europe received sophisticated warnings following a series of Russian airspace violations in eastern countries.
“The long-range aviation activities of the Russian Federation, which are struggling on Ukrainian territory, have led to Poland and Allied Airlines’ territory being operated in the airspace,” the Polish army posted on X.
“The pair of service fighters have been scrambled, with ground-based air defense systems and radiation closure reconnaissance reaching maximum readiness,” he said.
Russia launched 579 attack drones and various types of dummy drones overnight on Saturday, Keefe’s Air Force said. Moscow also said it fired eight ballistic missiles and 32 cruise missiles in the attack.
“All night, Ukraine was under massive attacks by Russia,” Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky said. He added that three people were killed in the artillery fire and dozens were injured.
“All such strikes are not a military need, but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy infrastructure,” he said. “That’s why we need a strong international response.”
Overall, eight people have been killed and at least 32 injured in the Russian attacks over the past 24 hours, according to regional authorities.
On Friday, NATO intercepted three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets that violated Estonian airspace, which Estonia called “unprecedented brave” incidents.
The country’s foreign ministry said the Jets entered the Gulf of Finland without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes. The Estonian military said the Jets have turned off the transponder, and they have no flight plans and could put other aircraft at risk.
In addition to NATO and Finnish aircraft, Italian F-35 fighter jets stationed in Estonia as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry operations responded to the invasion, NATO said.
Russia denied that the jet had entered Estonian airspace and claimed it was “conformed to strictly with international regulations” and “without violating the borders of other countries.”
Estonia has requested consultations on Article 4 of NATO after the violation. This is a mechanism that allows members to formally pose problems for NATO’s major political decision-making bodies. The meeting is scheduled to take place early next week.
The Russian drone violated both Poland and Romanian airspace earlier this month, urging NATO allies to pledge to strengthen their defenses on the eastern flank of the bloc.
Also earlier this month, NATO fighters fired down multiple Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine.
The operation marked the first shot fired by NATO since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The military alliance condemned Moscow’s “absolutely dangerous” actions.
The latest attack comes amidst a stagnant peace process, focusing on Ukrainian allies ensuring long-term security assurances in Kiev.
Zelensky said he will meet with President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York next week to assess whether such assurances are nearing conclusive.
Trump’s efforts to organize a joint summit between Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have so far failed.
