NATO commanders have mobilized fighter jets over Europe in response to a devastating assault orchestrated by Vladimir Putin. The capital city of Kyiv bore the brunt of the attack, resulting in a death toll of at least ten individuals and leaving over 70 others injured. Among the wounded are 43 individuals, including six children, with some young Ukrainians trapped beneath the debris of collapsed residential buildings in various locations hit by Putin’s military forces.
Apart from Kyiv, Putin’s armed forces also targeted several other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, Poltava region, Pavlohrad, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr. In light of the intense bombardment by Putin, the Polish operational command disclosed that it had deployed its own aircraft and NATO planes. This move was prompted by the severity of the attacks as affirmed by NATO representatives in their official statement.
According to officials, Polish and allied aircraft are actively monitoring Polish airspace in response to the ongoing assaults. The statement highlighted the need for increased vigilance due to the Russian long-range aviation’s strikes, particularly in western Ukraine, necessitating the operational presence of Polish and allied aircraft within Polish airspace.
In a separate announcement, NATO Air Command revealed that Swedish jets were scrambled following the alert, with Sweden stationed in close proximity alongside British RAF fighters. The Air Command shared on social media the unprecedented event of Swedish Gripen aircraft being deployed in response to Russian aircraft encroaching near NATO airspace. Sweden’s current deployment in Malbork, Poland, alongside the RAF underscores the seamless collaboration aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Allied territories.
Despite claims by Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff regarding Putin’s readiness for peace talks, the onslaught in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities persists, showcasing a contrasting reality. Putin’s deployment of Tu-95MS nuclear-capable strategic bombers and lethal drones has intensified the conflict, overshadowing peace negotiations.
Following the brutal attacks, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, announced his immediate return to Kyiv, truncating his visit to South Africa. Zelensky emphasized the need to address the ongoing violence, stating that it has been 44 days since Ukraine accepted a ceasefire proposal, underscoring Russia’s continuous disregard for human life and global accountability.
The Kyiv Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted 64 out of 145 Shahed-type and other drones, along with 48 out of 70 missiles launched by Russia during the recent onslaught. The escalating conflict highlights the urgent need for international attention and action to address the unfolding crisis.