Poland Scrambles Jets as Russia Launches Record-Breaking Attack on Ukraine
Poland activated its fighter jets and placed air defenses on high alert overnight after Russia unleashed a massive barrage of drones and missiles against neighboring Ukraine—the largest single-day aerial assault of the war.
NATO on High Alert
Poland’s military announced it had elevated its ground-based air defenses and radar systems to the “highest state of readiness” in response to the strikes, which targeted regions near NATO borders.
“These measures ensure security in areas adjacent to the threatened zones,” Poland’s armed forces stated, emphasizing they were “fully prepared for immediate response.”
The incident marks the latest in a series of Russian attacks that have forced NATO members—including Romania earlier this month—to scramble jets. While the alliance is bound by Article 5 to defend against attacks on member states, stray drones and missiles entering NATO airspace have so far not been treated as direct provocations.
Unprecedented Russian Barrage
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired:
- 728 drones (mostly Iranian-designed Shahed models)
- 6 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles
- 7 cruise missiles
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian defenses intercepted the majority of the threats, including via anti-drone drones, calling it the “highest number of aerial targets in a single day.”
However, Ukraine’s military confirmed only 300 drones were shot down, with over 400 missing their targets. All seven cruise missiles were destroyed, but there was no mention of intercepting the hypersonic Kinzhals.
Strikes Near NATO Borders
The attacks heavily targeted Lutsk, a northwestern city close to Poland and Belarus, as well as Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine. Damage was also reported in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, with strikes spreading across northeastern, central, and southern regions.
Zelensky condemned the assault, stating: “This attack comes precisely when global efforts for peace and a ceasefire are underway—yet Russia rejects them all.”
Trump’s Growing Frustration with Putin
President Donald Trump, who vowed last year to end the war in 24 hours, has grown increasingly critical of Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s refusal to accept a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Though Trump previously avoided direct condemnation of Putin, he recently blasted the Russian leader, saying:
- “We’ve had a lot of b***** thrown at us by Putin.”**
- “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Trump also expressed disappointment after a recent call with Putin and pledged additional military aid to Ukraine following a Pentagon pause in deliveries.
Ukraine’s Plea for More Air Defenses
Kyiv’s top concern remains securing Patriot missile interceptors, its only effective defense against ballistic missiles like the Kinzhal.
According to Axios, Trump assured Zelensky the U.S. would quickly send 10 Patriot systems and explore further missile shipments—a promise hinted at during June’s NATO summit.
Escalating Tensions
The record-breaking attack underscores Moscow’s relentless campaign despite international pressure. With NATO members like Poland and Romania repeatedly forced to respond, the risk of accidental escalation looms larger than ever.
As Ukraine braces for more strikes, the world watches whether Western aid—and Trump’s diplomacy—can alter the course of the war.
