Poland Scrambles Jets After Russian Strikes Hit Western Ukraine
Al Jazeera Staff
Poland scrambled fighter jets after overnight Russian strikes targeted western Ukraine near its border, saying no airspace violation occurred. The attacks cut power to 370,000 people in Volyn region and killed three in Kharkiv, as NATO's eastern flank states press for stronger defences.
Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to overnight Russian strikes on western Ukraine, an area close to the Polish border, the Polish armed forces said on Friday, adding that no violation of the country's airspace was recorded.
It was the latest alert to the region as Poland and other NATO eastern flank countries grow increasingly concerned about the risk of the war in Ukraine escalating, with Russia appearing to step up testing of regional air defences. The same day, Bulgaria's defence minister said Sofia had asked NATO for help strengthening its defences.
During strikes across Ukraine overnight, multiple attacks hit Volyn region, cutting power to 370,000 people across Ukraine's west, which borders Poland. Regional governor Roman Romaniuk said two people were wounded.
In the eastern city of Kharkiv, a drone strike killed three people and injured five, according to the regional governor. In central Ukraine, police said strikes on an apartment building in Uman injured a similar number.
Private power company DTEK announced emergency power cuts across Kyiv on Friday as the strikes continued.
On the Russian side, officials said air defences intercepted a Ukrainian drone attack targeting a thermal power plant in Vladimir region.
Ukraine has scored notable successes in striking Russian energy infrastructure, particularly oil refineries. But that strategy has drawn a backlash from US President Donald Trump, who blamed Ukraine for driving up global oil prices.
Russia said it shot down 644 Ukrainian drones overnight, 94 of them heading toward Moscow. Al Jazeera correspondent Yulia Shapovalova in Moscow reported that four of the capital's airports and St Petersburg's Pulkovo airport temporarily suspended operations.
Ukrainian attacks killed two people in Russia-controlled Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, according to the Kremlin-installed governor.
Concerns about Russian activity near NATO territory have mounted since the summer, when Romania, Moldova, Poland and the Baltic states reported multiple drone incursions into their airspace and waters.
The activity appears to be growing more aggressive. In recent weeks, drones have struck at least seven cargo ships in Romanian and Bulgarian waters in the Black Sea, killing two people and leaving at least 25 reported missing.
Drones hit two ships off Romania this week. A strike that sank a commercial vessel off Bulgaria on Tuesday prompted Sofia to summon the Russian ambassador.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Friday that while evidence pointed to Russian involvement, his government did not yet have verified proof.
Shortly afterwards, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters that Bulgaria had formally requested NATO deploy fighter jets and anti-drone systems to strengthen its defences.
"We have sent letters and requests to the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander, calling for increased capabilities, including additional force deployments on our territory. We are awaiting their decision," Stoyanov said.
NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters.
Stoyanov said he planned to meet Romanian and Turkish counterparts in the coming period to discuss coordinated action and a common approach to the Black Sea situation.
Bulgaria, which has proposed a moratorium on attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea, is also expected to join NATO's counter-drone initiative before the end of October.
