NATO warplanes are scrambled as Putin launches huge attack near Poland border

NATO deployed its warplanes early today in response to a heavy Russian bombardment of Ukraine, close to the border with Poland.

The Russian attacks, which hit crucial energy supplies in the coldest weeks of winter, were led by Vladimir Putin’s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.

The attack was seen as immediate revenge for Tuesday’s Ukrainian airstrikes on Russia, the heaviest of the nearly three-year war.

In particular, Putin was alarmed by Ukraine’s use of British Storm Shadow and American ATACMS missiles that hit key defense facilities, including a chemical plant in the Bryansk region.

NATO forces were on full alert in Poland with fighter jets, the country’s operational command headquarters said.

“The combat aircraft on duty have been assembled and the air defense and radar reconnaissance systems on the ground have reached the highest state of readiness,” a statement said.

“The measures taken are aimed at ensuring safety in the areas adjacent to the threatened areas.”

President Zelensky described it as “another massive Russian attack” and said Putin’s forces had continued to focus their attacks on his country’s energy infrastructure as Ukrainians face the harsh winter cold.

“Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that enable the normal life of our people,” he said.

He added that more than 40 missiles, including ballistic missiles, were launched in the attack. At least 30 of them were destroyed, he said.

In addition, more than 70 Russian attack drones were launched during the night.

Zelensky called on Ukraine’s Western allies to quickly strengthen air defenses, saying that “promises made by partners at the NATO summit in Washington… still remain partially unfulfilled.”

Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of the western city of Lviv, said that “during the morning attack, enemy cruise missiles were registered on the territory of the region.”

About seven TU-22M3 and six TU-95MS strategic bombers were in the air, targeting the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Russia had previously vowed to respond to Tuesday’s attacks, when 14 Western missiles and more than 200 drones reportedly hit chemical plants, energy facilities and other defense-related targets in Russia in Ukraine’s most ambitious air campaign of the entire war.

“The actions of the Kyiv regime, backed by Western proxies, will invite retaliation,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Russia claimed to have shot down eight £2 million Storm Shadow missiles, but this could not be verified.

Today, Russia attacked with Kh-22 missiles, causing emergency power outages in several Ukrainian regions already hit by crippling electricity shortages due to previous Putin attacks.

Sea-launched Kalibr missiles were also deployed.

Gas installations were also affected.

Herman Halushchenko, Kiev’s Energy Minister, warned: ‘The enemy will not stop terrorizing the Ukrainians.

“Due to the massive attack, the transmission system operator is applying preventive measures or restrictions.

‘Stay tuned for official announcements. As long as the danger persists: stay in shelters!’

Svitlana Onishchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk military government, said: “The morning in Ukraine started with rocket fire.

‘The enemy used different types of weapons.

‘In the Carpathians the target was critical infrastructure facilities. Air defense forces were active in the region.

‘Luckily there were no injuries. The relevant services are working on site.

‘The situation is under control. We thank our defenders and everyone involved in eliminating the consequences of the enemy attack.”

A 52-year-old man was reportedly killed in Kharkiv.

A 56-year-old nurse from a local polyclinic was killed as a result of the shelling of the Kherson suburb of Antonivka, the head of the region’s military administration said. [Oleksandr] Prokudin.

Ukraine also hit Russia overnight, setting fire to a key Lukoil refinery in Volgograd.

Images showed a huge explosion at the strategic factory.