NATO scrambled its warplanes early today in response to a fierce Russian bombardment of Ukraine close to its border with Poland. The Russian strikes - hitting vital energy facilities in the coldest weeks of winter - were led by Vladimir Putin’s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.
The onslaught was seen as instant revenge for Tuesday’s Ukrainian aerial strikes on Russia, the heaviest of the almost three year war. In particular, Putin was rattled by Ukraine’s use of British Storm Shadow and American ATACMS missiles which hit key defence facilities including a chemical plant in Bryansk region. NATO forces went on full alert in Poland with warplanes scrambled, said the country’s operational command headquarters.
“Duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,” said a statement. "The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.”.
Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of Lviv, said: “During the morning attack, enemy cruise missiles were recorded on the territory of the region. “The enemy attacked the energy infrastructure of our region and [elsewhere in] Ukraine.” Some seven TU-22M3 and six TU-95MS strategic bombers were in the air with capital Kyiv among the targets.
Russia had earlier vowed to respond to Tuesday’s attacks when a reported 14 Western missiles and more than 200 drones hit chemical plants, energy facilities and other defence-related targets in Russia in Ukraine’s most ambitious aerial strike of the entire war.
