NATO jets scrambled as Russia launches brutal new attacks despite Putin 'peace claims'
NATO has ramped up its air defense, with fighter jets on high alert following Russia's aggressive strikes in Western Ukraine, coming just days after
Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of "targeting civilians.
" The military alliance's Armed Forces Operational Command announced that it had increased patrols over Polish airspace adjacent to the Ukrainian border.
The command stated: "The steps taken are aimed at ensuring safety in areas bordering the threatened areas." Additionally, Poland's radar and reconnaissance capabilities were heightened, with officials declaring their forces ready to act "immediately" if the situation escalates, with the Polish President,
Andrzej Duda, regularly warning of the threat posed by Russia and
pleading with Donald Trump to station nuclear weapons in the country as a deterrent.
After the cessation of Russia's long-range airstrikes on Ukraine, military flights over Polish skies have ended, the statement clarified. It continued: "Poland's air defense and radar systems, which had been activated in response, are now back to routine operations. Authorities confirmed there were no breaches of Polish airspace. Meanwhile,
Putin has been slammed for claiming to want peace but launching further attacks.
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"The Polish Armed Forces continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely and remain on standby to safeguard national airspace."
Polish jets were scrambled on Thursday
(Image: (Image: Getty))
In a devastating overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv, nine people lost their lives, and 70 were injured, including six children, as reported by Ukrainian authorities on Thursday, reports
the Express
.
The Kyiv City Military Administration revealed that the attack involved at least 45 drones, with the expectation of updated figures from Ukraine's Air Force forthcoming.
The attack occurred amidst stalled peace negotiations, with President
Donald Trump
criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his refusal to surrender Crimea to Russia as part of a proposed peace plan.
Rescue efforts were still underway early Thursday morning, with emergency personnel retrieving bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings and providing care to those injured.
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On April 15, UK fighter jets intercepted two Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace, demonstrating the UK's commitment to NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission.
Two RAF Typhoons took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M intelligence-gathering aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
Shortly after, a second scramble was initiated to intercept an unidentified aircraft departing from Kaliningrad airspace.
These incidents marked the RAF's first interceptions under Operation CHESSMAN, supporting NATO's Eastern Flank alongside Sweden.
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