Russian drones and missiles launched a large-scale air assault into Ukrainian skies early Saturday morning, targeting western Ukraine near borders with NATO allies, Ukrainian officials reported.
The Ukrainian Air Force detected missiles heading towards the western Zakarpattia and Lviv regions, which border Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, all NATO members. In response, the Polish Army deployed fighter jets to protect its southeastern territory in case a missile crossed the border.
The attacks, aimed at a region less affected by the ongoing conflict, have heightened Ukraine’s calls for assistance from allies to protect its western region. The Ukrainian Air Force reported launches of attack drones followed by waves of missiles shortly after midnight, causing a fire at an infrastructure facility in Vinnytsia and explosions in Zaporizhzhia.
While no casualties were immediately reported, the extent of the damage from the attacks remains unclear. Ukraine’s energy minister stated that energy facilities in five regions were targeted, part of Russia’s campaign to disrupt the country’s infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials are urging allies to use their own planes and air defense systems to intercept Russian missiles near their borders, relieving the strain on Ukraine’s limited resources. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles already in Ukrainian territory from neighboring countries’ planes.
However, direct NATO involvement in shooting down Russian missiles has been met with resistance from the United States and European governments, fearing Russian retaliation. With the recent partial lifting of a ban on Ukraine’s use of Western weapons to attack inside Russia, Ukrainian officials may push for further support from allies.
Senior adviser Mykhailo Podolyak suggested that if Ukraine’s western neighbors intercepted Russian missiles, it would allow Ukraine to focus its antimissile systems in the eastern and southern parts of the country, which face frequent attacks.
The situation remains tense as Ukraine seeks assistance to defend its territory against Russian aggression, with the potential for further escalation in the conflict.
