Poland scrambled fighter jets on Sunday after Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, killing at least five people and targeting several regions including Lviv and Zaporizhzhia.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia fired over 50 missiles and 500 attack drones in coordinated strikes aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The attacks hit multiple regions including Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Kirovohrad.
Four people were killed in Lviv, near Poland’s border, where the city’s air defences engaged in repelling both drone and missile attacks. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi confirmed parts of the city were left without power, and public transport was suspended due to safety concerns. “It’s dangerous to go out into the streets,” Sadovyi warned on Telegram.
Another person was killed in Zaporizhzhia when a power plant was struck, leaving over 73,000 residents without electricity, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said. Several others, including a 16-year-old girl, were injured in the attack.
In response to the intensifying bombardments near its borders, Poland’s operational command announced that Polish and NATO aircraft had been deployed to safeguard Polish airspace. “Ground-based air defence and radar systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” the command said on X.
Zelensky called for stronger international support and faster delivery of air defence systems, saying, “We need more protection and faster implementation of all defence agreements to deprive this aerial terror of any meaning.”
Meanwhile, Lithuania temporarily closed its airspace early Sunday after detecting unidentified objects, briefly suspending flights at Vilnius Airport.
The latest wave of attacks comes just days after a U.S. official said Washington would support Ukraine in launching deep strikes inside Russian territory a stance that may further escalate regional tensions.
As of Sunday morning, much of Ukraine remained on high alert, with nationwide air raid warnings continuing into the day.
