Russia Launches Over 500 Drones and Missiles at Ukraine; NATO Scrambles Jets

Russia launched over 500 drones and missiles into Ukraine overnight, targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, according to Ukrainian authorities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 502 drones and 24 missiles were deployed, with defending forces downing or suppressing 430 drones and 21 missiles.

Explosions were reported in multiple regions, including Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lutsk. In Lviv, 15 drones attacked the city, causing partial destruction of a warehouse but no casualties, according to Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. In Lutsk, drones damaged civilian infrastructure, as reported by Mayor Ihor Polishchuk. In Ivano-Frankivsk, attacks caused a fire at an industrial site, with no casualties reported by Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the regional military administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the "massive attack" targeted civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities and residential areas. He described the strikes as "demonstrative" and called for increased international pressure on Russia's war economy.

In response to the attacks, NATO aircraft were deployed in Poland. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command confirmed that Polish and allied aircraft were operating intensively, with ground-based air defense and radar systems at maximum readiness.

Despite ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts, Russian aerial assaults have continued. President Zelenskyy has accepted proposals for a ceasefire and face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin has raised objections.