NATO fighter jets were scrambled overnight after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing civilians and knocking out power across multiple regions just days before Christmas, according to official statements and international reporting.
The strikes prompted heightened air-defense alerts in neighboring NATO countries, underscoring the risk of spillover from the nearly four-year war as Russian attacks edged close to alliance territory.
What Happened
Poland’s armed forces said Polish and allied fighter aircraft were deployed after Russia launched overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, with air-defense and radar systems placed on the highest state of readiness.
Romanian authorities also issued emergency nighttime alerts in border regions after Russian drones struck Ukrainian port infrastructure near NATO airspace, according to statements cited by Reuters.
Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
Ukrainian officials said the attacks killed civilians, including an elderly woman and a young child, and injured several others. Energy infrastructure was hit in multiple regions, triggering emergency power outages in Kyiv and surrounding areas.
“Emergency power outages have been implemented in a number of regions of Ukraine,” the Energy Ministry said, adding that repairs would begin once the security situation allowed. The damage and casualties were confirmed in reporting by The Associated Press.
Weapons Used in the Attack
According to Ukrainian military officials, Russia fired Kalibr cruise missiles from naval vessels in the Black Sea alongside waves of attack drones and air-launched missiles. Explosions were reported in several regions, including Kharkiv, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy.
Al Jazeera reported that the scale and timing of the barrage appeared aimed at straining Ukraine’s air defenses and energy system during the winter period.
NATO and Regional Response
Poland’s operational command said the jet deployment was a “preventive” measure intended to secure NATO airspace near the Ukrainian border. Romanian officials issued similar warnings as Russian strikes approached alliance territory.
The heightened alert reflects NATO’s long-standing concern that Russian drone or missile activity could inadvertently cross into member states, potentially triggering a wider escalation.
Broader Context
The attacks came amid renewed international discussions over possible diplomatic pathways to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow had shown no sign of abandoning the conflict, warning that Russia would continue attacks as long as it had the resources to do so.
Russia has stepped up long-range strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and civilian areas throughout the winter, a campaign Western officials say is intended to weaken morale and strain critical infrastructure.
