NATO fighter jets were among the targets destroyed as Vladimir Putin launched a barrage of more than 500 drones and missiles against Ukraine overnight.
One person was killed and 22 others injured, including three children, as the strikes hit both civilian and military sites across the country.
Russia’s assault prompted Polish and other allied warplanes to mobilise in the skies near the Ukrainian border. In total, Moscow fired 537 strike drones and 45 missiles – 582 incoming strikes altogether. Ukraine intercepted 548, but the remainder caused severe damage.
Poland’s armed forces operational command said: “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.”
Local reports said around ten rockets struck the central city of Dnipro within 15 minutes, sparking fires in residential buildings.
Strategic Tu-95MS and Tu-160 bombers, both capable of carrying nuclear weapons, were used in the onslaught. Dozens of Iskander-M, Iskander-K, Kalibr, Kh-59 and Kh-101 missiles, along with hundreds of Shahed drones, were also launched.
The latest bombardment came just days after the Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador to the UK over strikes on Kyiv that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned as “senseless”. More than a dozen people were killed in the capital earlier this week.
Sir Keir said Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “sabotaging” hopes of peace as US-led efforts to broker a settlement continue to falter.
On Wednesday night, Russia launched its first combined drone and missile attack on Kyiv in weeks, striking the city centre. The Prime Minister wrote on X: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the senseless Russian strikes on Kyiv which have damaged the British Council building.
“Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy added: “Putin’s strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv. We have summoned the Russian Ambassador. The killing and destruction must stop.”
Former US president Donald Trump said he hoped to broker a meeting between Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky after meeting both leaders separately in recent weeks. Russia has since dismissed any plans for direct talks.
Mr Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, condemned the “egregious attacks” which he said “threaten the peace” the US president is pursuing.
Downing Street said earlier this week that Mr Putin was blatantly stalling progress.
President Zelensky said: “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions.”
The British Council confirmed its Kyiv office had been “severely damaged” in the latest strikes.
