Russia launched a massive wave of missile and drone strikes against civilian, energy, and military targets in Ukraine, forcing NATO to scramble fighter jets in response. The attacks, which killed at least four and injured many more, sparked widespread power outages across multiple regions.
NATO fighter jets were scrambled today in response to a relentless barrage of Russia n missiles and drones targeting civilian, energy, and military installations across Ukraine . Disturbing footage from Poltava showed residents screaming as a strike reduced ordinary apartment buildings to smoldering rubble.
The wave of attacks, orchestrated by Vladimir Putin, resulted in widespread power outages across multiple regions and came shortly after Donald Trump announced in the Oval Office that his administration was engaged in active discussions with Moscow regarding the ongoing conflict. 'We are having very serious discussions about that war, trying to get it ended,' stated the US president. When questioned about direct communication with Putin, Trump remained cryptic, stating, 'I don't want to say that.' The massive strikes, which have claimed at least four lives and inflicted multiple injuries, may be a stark indication that Putin is unwavering in his determination to crush Ukraine. He deployed strategic nuclear-capable bombers, including Tu-95s and Tu-22s, unleashing a torrent of Kh-22 missiles among other weapons. The scale of the blitzkrieg prompted NATO to deploy Polish and allied warplanes to the eastern front of the alliance. Warsaw's operation command declared, 'Attention, due to the attack of the Russian Federation performing strikes on facilities located, among others, in the west of Ukraine, the operation of Polish and allied aviation in our airspace has begun.' The duty commander 'activated all available forces and means at his disposal,' according to a statement. NATO fighter jets were swiftly dispatched into the skies while 'ground-based air defence and radio-location reconnaissance systems have reached a state of highest readiness. The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.'In Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, a drone crashed in the Kholodnohirskyi residential district, tragically claiming the life of one woman and injuring five others, as reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded in Poltava where a residential apartment block was struck. The entrance was torn asunder, leaving a trail of destruction. At least three people were killed, and 10 sustained injuries. Rescuers battled against the clock amidst fears of further fatalities. Emergency power outages were reported in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Poltava, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. In Zaporizhzhia, Russia launched dozens of strikes, including at least 18 Shahed drones, resulting in damage to infrastructure, a multi-storey building, and private homes. One man was injured. Earlier, in an attack on Odesa's historic center, the tsarist-era Hotel Bristol was struck and sustained damage. Explosions were recorded in the Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Kyiv, and Odessa regions. Reports indicated that the Vasylkiv military airfield, located 25 miles south of Kyiv, was also targeted.Head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office, Andriy Yermak, commented, 'Poltava, Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia - attacks on residential buildings, on civilians, are typical tactics of the Russian army. They also even wipe out villages in their own Kursk region with people, shelling them with KAB .... 'The true face of Russia is this. Murderers who have absolutely no respect for any leader in the world, or any other nation. There's only fear, which does not allow them to do the same in Europe. For now.'As Putin's armed forces unleashed chaos across Ukraine, he was seen presenting a bouquet of white roses to Russia's leading church figure - Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill - on the 16th anniversary of his enthronement. The dictator is believed to be deeply angered by a series of Ukrainian attacks on his oil refineries, including the loss of the strategically important Ust-Luga port, used for fuel exports.
NATO Russia Ukraine Missile Strikes Drone Attacks War Vladimir Putin Donald Trump Kyiv Kharkiv Odesa
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