Poland Scrambles Jets as Russia Launches Attacks on Western Ukraine

Thu Oct 16 2025 21:43:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In response to extensive Russian missile and drone strikes targeting the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, Poland has launched fighter jets to secure its airspace amidst escalating regional tensions.

As Russia intensifies its missile and drone strikes in western Ukraine, particularly affecting Lviv, Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace. The attacks resulted in casualties in Ukraine and raised alarms for neighboring countries as NATO allies respond. The situation escalates following recent statements that the US would support Ukraine in conducting strikes within Russian territory.

Russia pounded Ukraine with missile and drone attacks overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning, focusing on the major western city of Lviv.

Ukraine's neighbour Poland scrambled fighter jets in order to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the Polish military confirmed. Allied NATO aircraft were also deployed.

Lviv's regional head Maksym Kozytskyi reported that two people were killed in strikes in the region, with two additional injuries.

Meanwhile, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure once more, with an overnight attack on Zaporizhzhia leading to one death and leaving over 73,000 people without electricity.

Poland's operational command stated, Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness.

At 5:10 AM local time, air raid alerts were issued across Ukraine with warnings of more missile attacks.

Lviv's mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, reported that parts of the city, just 70 km from the Polish border, were without power due to ongoing attacks.

Public transport in other western cities, like Ivano-Frankivsk, was impacted, with delays reported.

On the Russian side, air defense units announced the destruction of 32 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Additionally, in Lithuania, airspace was briefly closed due to unidentified objects, leading to temporary suspensions at Vilnius Airport.

These developments come against a backdrop of increasing military tensions in the region, following a US official's declaration of support for Ukraine's capability to strike deep into Russian territory.