NATO forces have been forced to scramble their warplanes in Poland after Vladimir Putin used nuclear-capable bombers to attack Ukraine. Russia used a set of Tu-95MS' to cause panic in Kyiv as residents were forced to rush to the metro underground shelters for safety.
![[Nighttime view of a distant fire or explosion.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/nato-planes-scrambled-near-polish-975022372.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The strikes came despite Putin insisting he wanted peace with Ukraine “as soon as possible” as Moscow continue to speak with Washington over a truce. Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Sumy, as well as in Kyiv and Cherkasy regions. Drones were also used by Russia with several people suffering injuries.
![[Bomb-damaged building at night.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/poland-scrambles-fighter-jets-russia-974989308.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“Attention, due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, striking targets located, in particular, in the west of Ukraine, military aviation has begun to operate in the airspace of Poland,” said Warsaw’s armed forces operation command headquarters.
![[Military aircraft fly in formation over a tank and church.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-50.png?strip=all&w=317)
Ground-based air defences and radar reconnaissance systems were also “put on alert”. The NATO action was defensive amid fears Russia was unleashing missiles close to the Polish border. The attacks on Ukraine were reported to be continuing. At least two Tu-95MS bombers were reported taking off from Olenya air base in the Arctic.
![[Military aircraft formation flying in a V-shape.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image_924160.png?strip=all&w=253)
