NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets As Russia Launches 12-Hour Barrage on Ukraine

 On Sunday, Russia initiated one of its most intense aerial assaults on Ukraine since the onset of the war, deploying nearly 600 drones and 48 missiles over a 12-hour period. The capital, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the attack, resulting in at least four fatalities and numerous injuries.

In response, NATO swiftly scrambled fighter jets and placed air defense units on high alert, particularly in neighboring Poland, to secure the alliance’s eastern flank.

Newsweek contacted representatives for Russia, Ukraine, and Poland via email and NATO via online form on Sunday.

Why It Matters

This unprecedented attack highlights the escalating nature of the conflict and the increasing threats to NATO member states, while the scale of the attack and the proximity to NATO borders have heightened concerns about the potential for wider regional instability. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of current air defense systems and the need for enhanced regional security measures.

The strike ranks among the largest of the war, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. It comes amid heightened tensions following recent NATO air defense operations triggered by drone incursions, as well as unexplained drone activity over Scandinavia that disrupted air traffic in Norway and Denmark this week. As reported by Newsweek, those incidents followed complaints from Poland, Romania, and Estonia about Russian airspace violations, further straining relations between NATO allies and Moscow.

The deployment of fighter jets and temporary airspace restrictions are occurring more often as several NATO nations report drone sightings and other airspace violations.

What To Know

The Russian air assault, lasting more than 12 hours, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left at least four people dead and more than 70 injured in Ukraine, the BBC reported. The attack, which unleashed close to 600 drones and dozens of missiles across seven regions, ranks among the most intense strikes in recent months.

Poland scrambled fighter jets and temporarily restricted parts of its airspace on Sunday following the Russian attack. Polish radar systems were placed on the highest alert level, and NATO F-35 jets patrolled the skies until the assault concluded, according to the military. No violations of Polish airspace were reported. Airspace near the southeastern cities of Lublin and Rzeszów was briefly closed as a precaution, Politico reported.

Zelensky confirmed that all of the fatalities occurred in Kyiv, where much of the bombardment was concentrated, among them a 12-year-old girl, BBC reported. Zelensky vowed that Ukraine would respond, condemning the “vile” assault as proof that Moscow “wants to continue fighting and killing.” Russia, meanwhile, claimed it had targeted military sites and industrial facilities linked to Ukraine’s defence efforts.

According to Ukrainian news outlet, Ukrainska Pravda, Russia attacked with 643 aerial assets. Hits and falling debris were recorded in 41 locations overnight. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the Solomianskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Holosiivskyi, Darnytskyi, and Dniprovskyi districts.

Kyiv’s air force stated that it neutralized 611 targets in total, including 566 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), two Banderol UAVs, 35 Kh-101 missiles, and eight Kalibr missiles. According to the military, five missiles and 31 attack drones struck 16 sites, while falling debris was recorded in 25 different areas, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

The strikes occurred only hours after Zelensky cautioned Europe that the surge in drone activity and airspace violations signaled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions extend beyond Ukraine, and that Russia is testing European air defenses through recent violations of airspace in multiple NATO member countries.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted that Moscow has no plans to attack EU or NATO member states, as per Politico. However, he warned that Russia would deliver a “decisive response” to any act of aggression against it.

What People Are Saying

President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as per Politico: “The massive Russian attack on Ukraine lasted for more than 12 hours. Brutal strikes, deliberate and targeted terror against ordinary cities.”

“Putin will not wait to finish his war in Ukraine. He will open up some other direction. Nobody knows where,” Zelensky said.