NATO scrambled fighter jets in Polish and Romanian airspace overnight as Russia launched massive drone and missile strikes on western Ukraine, killing at least 25 people, including three children. The attacks struck residential buildings in the city of Ternopil, where dozens more were injured and rescue workers continued searching through the debris.
Smoke was rising from collapsed apartment blocks as emergency crews battled fires and pulled survivors from the rubble. Western Ukraine has long been considered a refuge from the most intense fighting, making the devastation especially alarming for families who fled there seeking safety.
In the eastern city of Kharkiv, separate drone attacks damaged apartment complexes and left vehicles burning in the streets. Dozens of civilians were reported wounded as firefighters worked through the night to contain the destruction.
Romania’s defense ministry confirmed that a Russian drone crossed into its national airspace during the strikes, prompting the deployment of two Eurofighters and later two Romanian F-16s. Poland also launched its own fighter jets after detecting potential threats near its border, with officials describing the move as a precaution to protect national airspace.
The escalation came as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Turkey for high-level discussions aimed at reinvigorating stalled peace talks and negotiating further prisoner exchanges. Although Russia is not involved in those talks, Turkey has continued to serve as an essential diplomatic bridge between the two sides.
Amid the overnight assault, Russia announced that it had intercepted four US-made ATACMS long-range missiles that Ukraine had fired toward the Russian city of Voronezh. The missiles were reportedly destroyed about 200 kilometers from the border. ATACMS, which have a range of up to 300 kilometers, were first approved for Ukrainian use under the Biden administration and have previously sparked warnings from Moscow about potential escalation.
Energy infrastructure across Ukraine was hit heavily, leaving multiple regions without power. Authorities said widespread outages were likely to continue as repair crews assess the full extent of the damage.
Poland temporarily closed its Rzeszow and Lublin airports to ensure unrestricted movement for military aircraft responding to the emergency. The airports were later reopened, but tensions in the region remained high as officials warned of further potential airspace violations.
This surge in activity follows a string of heightened incidents in recent months, including drone incursions, stray munitions crossing borders and what Polish authorities recently called an unprecedented act of sabotage on its railway infrastructure. Warsaw has accused individuals linked to Russian intelligence of orchestrating the attack on its train line, while Moscow has denied involvement.
In a separate diplomatic development, Poland announced the closure of Russia’s last consulate in the country in response to the suspected sabotage. Russian officials expressed regret but insisted they had no connection to the incident.
Meanwhile, the United States approved a proposed 105 million dollar sale to help Ukraine upgrade its Patriot air defense system. The enhancement is intended to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend against ongoing air assaults, which have increased in intensity and reach. Ukraine also secured a recent deal with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets along with advanced air defenses and drones.
NATO allies have been increasingly responsive during Russian attacks, particularly when drones or debris drift near or across alliance borders. In September, Poland shot down multiple Russian drones that violated its airspace, marking the first time NATO forces fired shots since the war began.
As the conflict expands beyond Ukraine’s eastern front, NATO’s rapid mobilization underscores the growing danger of cross-border escalation, a threat the alliance is preparing to confront more directly as the war continues.
