NATO Jets Scrambled as Putin Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine

NATO jets were scrambled Sunday after Vladimir Putin launched what Western officials described as one of the heaviest drone and missile attacks on Kyiv since the start of Russia's invasion. An overnight barrage included roughly 500 drones and 40 missiles aimed at the Ukrainian capital and surrounding regions, killing at least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, and injuring dozens. Air defenses roared through the night as drones filled the skies over Kyiv and retaliatory explosions echoed across the city.

Poland said it had begun operating its air forces in response to the broader threat, with long-range Russian strikes against Ukrainian territory prompting an early Sunday scramble of Polish and allied jets to secure airspace near two southeastern cities. Warsaw also temporarily closed portions of its airspace as a precaution to protect civilians along the border, officials said. The measures came as other NATO members reported similar vigilance after recent incursions and near misses linked to Russia's wider campaign.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy characterized the assault as a sign that Moscow intends to press its campaign and urged the international community to widen sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian officials said the strikes targeted Kyiv and several western regions, with residential areas and critical infrastructure hit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Moscow must feel fear for its leadership, economy and regime to deter further aggression.

Authorities reported at least 16 injuries in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, including three children. In Kyiv, drones buzzed over the city for hours as anti-aircraft fire crackled, and a state cardiological hospital caught fire, prompting evacuations and temporary sheltering in nearby facilities. Residents sought safety in metro stations deep underground, sleeping on makeshift beds or sitting on deck chairs as phone alerts warned of continued strikes.

Poland's and NATO's responses underscored a widening rift as Russia denies targeting Estonia and other claims are disputed. Moscow said its planes did not enter Estonian airspace and that the drones did not target Poland; Belarus argued that Ukrainian signal-jamming had diverted the devices. Across the region, NATO has pledged to defend airspace and respond to threats with appropriate measures, while allies monitor developments as accusations and denials continue to circulate.

The attack came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke at the United Nations General Assembly, warning that any retaliation against Russia would be met with a decisive response. Zelenskiy had warned in the hours leading up to the strike that Moscow would not wait to finish its war in Ukraine and that further moves could be directed in other directions. In the wider aftermath, Ukrainian officials urged international partners to increase sanctions and pressure, arguing that such steps are necessary to curb Moscow's aggression and protect civilian lives.

As dawn broke over Kyiv and surrounding towns, residents resumed a tense rhythm, with many returning to corridors and subway stations for shelter or moving to ground-level safer areas. Emergency services and local authorities coordinated heat and medical support, while schools and businesses assessed damage and began repairs where possible. The night of strikes illustrated the ongoing fragility of the region and the potential spillover risks for neighboring states, even as military forces on all sides recalibrated their postures in response to the latest assault.