NATO was forced to scramble warplanes overnight on its eastern border as Russia shamelessly continued to bomb Ukraine. The Armed Forces Operational Command of Poland, a NATO member state, announced on Friday night the Western Alliance was dispatching “on-duty fighter pairs and an early warning aircraft”. They wrote in a post on X: “Due to the activity of the Russian Federation’s long-range aviation, which is carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace.

“In accordance with the applicable procedures, the Operational Commander of the RSZ has activated the necessary forces and resources at his disposal. On-duty fighter pairs and an early warning aircraft have been scrambled, and ground-based air defense systems as well as radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of maximum readiness.” These actions were described as “of a preventive nature” aiming at securing the airspace and its protection, particularly in areas close to those being targeted by Russian strikes.

Three hours later, in the early morning of Saturday, the command said the operation had concluded, with ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems returning to their standard operational activity.

The message also said the Spanish and German air forces had dispatched jets for this operation.

In its overnight attacks on Ukraine, Russia deoloyed Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers – part of his nuclear attack strike force – to target the country with conventional missiles.

The Russian strikes are believed to have resulted in several casualties. In Kyiv alone, five people are thought to have died and 15 more to have been wounded in the strikes.

Warehouses and production facilities were also reportedly hit in Brovary, a city close to Kyiv.

And in the Kharkiv region, a suburban train was reportedly hit.

Some 68 missiles – including Kalibrs, Kh-101s and Iskanders – and 430 drones were reportedly unleashed. Some 250 of the drones were Iranian-designed Shaheds, of the type Tehran is firing in the Middle East now.

All but six missiles and 28 drones were shot down or disrupted by Ukrainian air defence forces.