Russia has launched a wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine last night.
Ukrainians woke up to the sounds of sirens and explosions after widespread Russian airstrikes.
However, not everyone was able to seek cover in time, and at least one person was killed and 24 were injured after an attack in the northern city of Zaporizhia, including three children, local officials said.
The attacks reportedly prompted NATO to gather its warplanes in Poland near the Ukrainian border.
The Warsaw armed forces operation command said in a statement: ‘In connection with another attack by the Russian Federation striking objects on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace.’
It said that the operation commander ‘activated all available forces and resources at his disposal, on-duty fighter pairs were scrambled, and ground systems of air defence and radio-location detection reached maximum alert.’
Bombardment was reported in Zaporizhia, Pavlohrad, Dnipro, Chernihiv, Lutsk, and Cherkasy, with homes and shops reduced to smouldering rubble.
The ‘massive’ attack saw 537 drones and 45 missiles being unleashed on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army said it destroyed 510 of the drones and 38 missiles.
Zaporizhia’s regional military administration chief, Ivan Fedorov, said: ‘Russian strikes destroyed private houses, damaged many facilities, including cafes, service stations and industrial enterprises.’
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said it targeted two Russian oil refineries in Krasnodar and Syzran.
The Ukrainian attacks caused damage and fires at both sites, according to Russian authorities.
The latest escalation has cast doubts on any careful hopes for a resolution in the three-year Russia-Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday his officials want to sit down with US President Donald Trump and European leaders next week.
Zelensky accused Moscow of carrying out ‘massive attacks’ instead of preparing for a summit between Putin and him.
The Ukrainian leader said: ‘Russia once again shows its utter disregard for words,” he said, after almost 540 drones and 50 missiles were launched at Ukraine overnight.
‘This war won’t stop with political statements alone; real steps are needed. We expect action from the US, Europe, and the entire world.
‘The only way to reopen a window of opportunity for diplomacy is through tough measures against all those bankrolling the Russian army and effective sanctions against Moscow itself – banking and energy sanctions.’
Last night’s attacks come just days after at least 15 people were killed in bombardments on Kyiv.
Several buildings were razed to the ground, including a British Council office.
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