NATO scrambled its warplanes early today in response to a fierce Russian bombardment of Ukraine close to its border with Poland.
The Russian strikes – hitting vital energy facilities in the coldest weeks of winter – were led by Vladimir Putin’s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.
The onslaught was seen as instant revenge for Tuesday’s Ukrainian aerial strikes on Russia, the heaviest of the almost three year war.
In particular, Putin was rattled by Ukraine’s use of British Storm Shadow and American ATACMS missiles which hit key defence facilities including a chemical plant in Bryansk region.
NATO forces went on full alert in Poland with warplanes scrambled, said the country’s operational command headquarters.
‘Duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,’ said a statement.
‘The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.’
File image shows a Rafale B standard F4 fighter jet of France’s air force flies as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission in the Baltic States, on Dezember 17, 2024
Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of Lviv, said: ‘During the morning attack, enemy cruise missiles were recorded on the territory of the region.
‘The enemy attacked the energy infrastructure of our region and [elsewhere in] Ukraine.’
Some seven TU-22M3 and six TU-95MS strategic bombers were in the air with the Ukrainian capital Kyiv among the targets.
Russia had earlier vowed to respond to Tuesday’s attacks when a reported 14 Western missiles and more than 200 drones hit chemical plants, energy facilities and other defence-related targets in Russia in Ukraine’s most ambitious aerial strike of the entire war.
‘The actions by the Kyiv regime supported by Western handlers will trigger retaliation,’ said the Russian defence ministry in a statement.
Russia claimed to have shot down eight £2million Storm Shadow missiles but this could not be verified.
Today Russia attacked with Kh-22 missiles, triggering emergency power outages in multiple Ukrainian regions, already hit by crippling electricity shortages due to earlier Putin strikes.
Sea-launched Kalibr missiles were also deployed.
Gas facilities were also hit.
Herman Halushchenko, Kyiv’s Energy Minister, warned: ‘The enemy does not stop terrorising Ukrainians.
‘Due to the mass attack, the operator of the transmission system applies preventive measures of restrictions.
‘Stay tuned for official announcements. While the danger lasts – stay in shelters!’
Svitlana Onishchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk military administration, said: ‘The morning in Ukraine began with rocket fire.
‘The enemy used various types of weapons.
‘In the Carpathian region, the target was critical infrastructure facilities. Air Defence Forces were operating in the region.
‘Fortunately, there were no injuries. The relevant services are working at the scene.
‘The situation is under control. We thank our defenders and everyone involved in eliminating the consequences of the enemy attack.’
In Kharkiv, a 52-year-old man was reportedly killed.
A 56-year-old nurse from a local outpatient clinic was killed as a result of shelling of the Kherson suburb of Antonivka,said the head of the region’s military administration [Oleksandr] Prokudin.
Ukraine also hit Russia overnight, setting fire to a key Lukoil refinery in Volgograd.
Footage showed a huge explosion at the strategic plant.
