Poland scrambled fighter jets overnight as Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 26 missiles and 597 drones in what Ukrainian officials described as another large-scale attack on the war-torn nation.
The attack, which killed two people in the western city of Chernivtsi and injured around 20 across Ukraine, forced NATO member Poland to activate its air defences amid concerns that Russian projectiles could enter its airspace. Polish Operational Command confirmed it had scrambled standby fighter pairs whilst monitoring the evolving situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the scale of the overnight assault on Telegram, stating that Russia had used 26 missiles and 597 drones targeting multiple regions simultaneously, from Kharkiv and Sumy in the east to Chernivtsi and Lviv in the west.
Fatal Strikes in Chernivtsi
The western Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi, situated near the borders with Romania and Moldova, bore the brunt of the overnight assault with two confirmed fatalities. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes damaged administrative buildings, residential houses, and vehicles across multiple locations in the city.
Emergency services battled fires at three separate sites whilst evacuating residents from affected areas. First responders provided immediate medical assistance before transferring the injured to local hospitals for further treatment.
The attack on Chernivtsi adds to mounting civilian casualties as Russia continues its campaign of aerial bombardment against Ukrainian cities far from the front lines.
Poland’s Military Response
Poland’s armed forces confirmed they activated comprehensive defensive measures in response to the Russian barrage. Polish and allied aircraft have begun operating in our airspace,” the Operational Command stated on social media platform X.
The defensive response included deploying on-call fighter pairs and placing ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems on the highest state of alert. Polish authorities emphasised these were precautionary measures aimed at ensuring security in areas bordering the threatened regions.
“The Polish military is monitoring the current situation with subordinate forces and resources remaining in full readiness for immediate response,” officials stated. No violations of Polish airspace were reported during the incident.
Pattern of Escalation
The overnight assault represents the latest in a series of massive Russian attacks that have intensified throughout 2025. Just two weeks ago, on 29 June, Russia launched what was described as a record 537-projectile attack on Ukraine, forcing Poland to scramble jets in similar defensive measures.
Polish authorities have noted this pattern of escalation, with the military repeatedly activating air defences during major Russian strikes. On 9 June, officials in Rivne described Russian strikes as the “largest attack” on the western region, whilst a 26 May assault involved 355 drones targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
These massive bombardments have become increasingly common, with Russia launching attacks involving hundreds of drones becoming a regular occurrence. Earlier this week, Ukraine reported that Russia had conducted its largest single airstrike of the war, attacking with 728 drones, seven cruise missiles and six Kinzhal ballistic missiles.
Strategic Implications
Poland’s repeated scrambling of fighter jets underscores the ongoing risks to NATO’s eastern flank as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues into its fourth year. As one of Ukraine’s closest allies and a crucial logistics hub for Western military aid, Poland maintains constant vigilance against potential airspace violations.
The Polish military operates 200,000 soldiers, making it NATO’s third-largest force after the United States and Turkey. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Warsaw has significantly bolstered its defences, including recent purchases of Apache attack helicopters and Patriot air defence systems.
British and Swedish aircraft are currently participating in NATO air policing operations in Poland, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern defences. This multinational presence reflects NATO’s commitment to defending its eastern members against potential Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy’s Call for Action
President Zelenskyy used the latest attack to renew calls for international action against Russia. The pace of Russian attacks on Ukraine requires quick decisions,” he wrote on Telegram, urging the introduction of additional sanctions including “tough secondary sanctions against anyone who helps the Russians produce drones and make money from oil.
The war can only be stopped by force,” Zelenskyy stated. “We expect not just signals from our partners, but actions that will save lives.”
The Ukrainian leader’s frustration reflects the ongoing challenge of defending against Russia’s aerial campaign, which has systematically targeted civilian infrastructure including power plants, residential buildings, and transport networks.
Wider Regional Impact
The overnight strikes extended far beyond Chernivtsi, with explosions reported across multiple Ukrainian regions. Cities from Kharkiv in the northeast to Lviv in the west came under attack, demonstrating Russia’s continued ability to strike targets throughout Ukraine despite three years of war.
The attacks have particularly focused on western Ukraine in recent months, areas closer to NATO borders that had previously been considered relatively safe from Russian strikes. This westward shift has increased tensions along the alliance’s eastern frontier and forced repeated defensive responses from Poland and Romania.
Previous incidents have seen Russian missiles briefly enter NATO airspace. In March 2024, Poland reported a Russian cruise missile breached its airspace, whilst similar violations occurred in December 2023. These incidents have heightened concerns about potential escalation and the risks of the conflict spilling over NATO borders.
Civilian Toll Continues
The deaths in Chernivtsi add to the mounting civilian casualties of Russia’s invasion. According to UN figures, more than 40,000 civilians have been killed or injured since February 2022, with the vast majority caused by Russian forces’ use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure continues to draw international condemnation, though Russia maintains it only strikes military targets. The reality on the ground tells a different story, with residential buildings, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure regularly hit by Russian missiles and drones.
As dawn broke over Ukraine on Saturday, emergency crews continued working to clear debris and search for potential survivors. Polish forces maintained their heightened alert status, ready to respond to any further Russian attacks that might threaten NATO territory.
The incident serves as another stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by Russia’s war, not just to Ukraine but to the broader European security architecture, as NATO members along Ukraine’s borders remain on constant alert for potential spillover from the conflict.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
105 Polish Air Force MiG-29A Fulcrum at ILA Berlin 2016 – Image by Alan Wilson, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
