NATO was forced to scramble fighter jets today as Vladimir Putin launched a fresh wave of deadly drone and bomber strikes on Ukraine.
Russia staged the most intense attacks of the war on the west of the country – with estimates suggesting up to 30 missiles and 700 military drones were unleashed.
Two people were confirmed killed in Chernivtsi, close to the Romanian border, with at least 18 wounded in the overnight strikes which yet again targeted civilians.
Acrid smoke could be seen lingering over the city following the strikes and rescue workers were pictured inspecting burnt-out cars and rubble.
Putin used his nuclear-capable Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers to hammer Ukraine in what was already the most intense week of the war for kamikaze drone strikes.
Russia targeted major cities Lviv and Lutsk as well as Chernivtsi in the assault on western Ukraine.
‘Due to the activity of long-range Russian aviation striking targets located in western Ukraine, among other places, Polish and allied air forces have commenced operations in Polish airspace,’ reported the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
It did not make clear which other NATO states were involved in the latest operation triggered by the Russian onslaught.
‘Scrambled pairs of fighter jets were deployed, and ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of combat readiness,’ said the statement.
The Polish armed forces ‘activated available forces and resources’ in measures ‘aimed at ensuring security in areas bordering the threatened areas’.
The last time such action was taken was Wednesday, as Putin intensified his strikes on Ukraine, believing he now has the upper hand in the war.
The Russian strikes came as the US is resuming significant military assistance for Ukraine, and ahead of an expected major Donald Trump statement on Monday which may involve sanctions against the Putin regime.
In Lviv, the Russians hit residential buildings and a kindergarten.
‘Explosions occurred in several districts of the city,’ said mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
Head of the regional military administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, called it a ‘massive drone attack’.
The main building of the Electron corporation – a maker of trams and buses – was hit.
Russian reports claimed the Yavoriv military training ground in Lviv region was targeted.
In Lutsk, homes were damaged in the blitzkrieg.
In Chernivtsi, the dead were a woman aged 26 and a man aged 43.
Reports of two more hospital deaths were not confirmed.
At least 14 were wounded in the region.
‘Several residential buildings, shops, administrative buildings and cars were damaged,’ said head of the regional military administration, Ruslan Zaparanyuk.
In Kharkiv, bombs and drones hit the city.
A distraught woman was seen weeping over her dog killed by a Russian strike.
‘The main blow was taken by an enterprise that has not been operating for several years,’ said military administration chief Oleh Syniehubov.
Earlier in Odesa, a military enlistment office was bombed no less than six times by Russian drones.
Lviv faced its largest drone strike since the start of Putin’s invasion.
Among the injured was a boy, 11.
Volodymyr Zelensky said 597 drones had been unleashed on Ukraine – and 26 missiles.
‘Over 20 missiles and the majority of the strike drones were neutralised,’ he said.
‘Thanks to our air defence forces for the result.
‘Unfortunately, there were hits on civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings.
‘As of now, two people have died in Chernivtsi. My condolences to the families and loved ones.
‘About 20 more people injured as a result of the shelling are receiving all necessary assistance.’
In a message to Donald Trump he said: ‘The pace of Russia’s air strikes requires swift decisions, and it can be slowed down with sanctions right now.’
He called for the sanctions to apply to countries that help Russians ‘produce drones and profit from oil’.
He said: ‘More air defence and investments in interceptor drones, which are already showing good results, are needed.
‘The war can only be stopped by force. We expect from our partners not just signals, but actions that will save lives.’
It comes after heartbreaking footage showed terminally ill orphans in Ukraine being evacuated to a bomb shelter during a Russian drone attack.
Nurses could be seen carrying the distressed children in their arms after they were forced to flee a hospice due to Vladimir Putin’s relentless strikes targeting civilians.
The harrowing video, filmed on the night of July 9 or in the early hours of July 10, has only recently appeared.
‘This is how the children were evacuated to a shelter in the Butterfly House in Chernivtsi,’ said the caption.
‘In the centre, there is the largest children’s palliative ward in Ukraine,’ said a report.
‘Each such descent into the bomb shelter for seriously ill children is a threat to life.’
The orphans could be seen lying on mats on the floor after being removed from their beds.
Some of the bewildered children cried as they were carried out of the hospital, with nurses trying to comfort them through reassuring smiles.
At least ten of the seriously ill orphans are from Kryvyi Rih – the birthplace of Volodymyr Zelensky.
They were taken to Chernivtsi because it was felt to be safer after repeated strikes on Kryvyi Rih.
But, Putin’s latest Geran-2 drones strikes hit the area with an explosion close to the hospice which should have been their safe haven.
