Russian missile breaches Polish airspace amid deadly Ukrainian strikes

Ukrainian officials said a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile crossed into Poland during a coordinated Russian strike that hit 20 locations across Ukraine on Wednesday night. The incursion prompted Poland to dispatch an F-16 fighter and a helicopter, which located a probable crash site near the village of Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin region.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was in contact with NATO command and European leaders about the air-space violation and that a team had been convened to investigate. He posted on X that “everyone declares full solidarity and readiness for any assistance.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that at least eight civilians were killed and dozens injured as the attacks targeted Kyiv and nine other regions, from Lviv in the west to Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast. He blamed “insufficient or delayed” air-defence supplies from partners for the casualties, adding that Ukrainian forces had intercepted most of the 284 drones and 70 missiles launched by Russia.

In Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed one death, while more than 50,000 residents sought shelter in the metro. In Lviv, mayor Andriy Sadovyi said over 20 residential buildings, a school and two kindergartens were damaged, with at least 20 people injured.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged swift delivery of additional air-defence systems, writing on X that “every decision on additional air-defence capabilities for Ukraine now needs to be taken without delay.”

Russia’s defence ministry described the overnight barrage as a “massive strike” aimed at military targets and claimed to have shot down 258 Ukrainian long-range drones. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones continued attacks on Russian retailer Wildberries facilities, causing fires and injuries at sites in the Penza and Udmurtia regions.