NATO warplanes were seen scrambling as Putin fired a terrifying wave of missiles towards Poland’s border.
The latest chilling strikes are part of a massive new Russian onslaught on Ukraine.
Russia hit Ukraine with a new set of chilling attacks
East2WestEmergency crews battled the fires and rubble caused by the strikes[/caption]
East2WestA residential block in Kyiv was set on fire[/caption]
APAt least three Nato F-16s were left scrambling in the latest Russian onslaught[/caption]
At least three F-16s were seen scrambling as Russia fired several missiles towards its Nato border with Ukraine, say reports.
Distressing footage of the attacks show a residential block in Kyiv ablaze as a fire ripped through the building.
One person was killed in the attacks, as at least ten others were left badly wounded – nine in Kyiv and one in Kharkiv.
Across Kyiv, over 20,000 people were left without electricity as they battled alongside emergency crews to clear away the rubble from buildings and put out fires.
Reports said Russia used 11 TU-95MS aircraft strategic bombers in the devastating attacks. alongside six TU-22M3 aircraft.
Ukrainian air defence forces said they destroyed 24 Russian missiles after the strikes.
A Ukrainian marine drone plant in Mykolaiv was hit alongside a viscous barrage of strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv.
The Russian missiles were believed to be flying over Ukraine and heading towards Poland when they unleashed the ambush.
Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Poland said: “Intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation is being observed due to missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
“All necessary procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of Polish airspace have been launched.”
Nato continued saying that Poland was “constantly monitoring the situation”.
“We warn you that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may cause increased noise levels, especially in the southeast area of the country,” Nato went on to say.
Poland sent the three F-16s into the air after fears of a possible Russian threat, said Ukrainian media.
Smoke was seen rising from buildings in Kyiv after five explosions were heard across Ukraine’s capital.
A nationwide air raid alert was sounded in Ukraine as warnings were sent round to residents to be aware of the damage done.
The mayor of Kyiv mayor, Vitaliy Klychko said: “Explosions in the city. Air defence is working. Stay in shelters!
“An apartment building caught fire in Holosiivsky district. Firefighters and rescue unit are on its way to the scene.
“And in the Dnipro district of the capital, there are currently two injured people. Both were treated by medics on the spot.”
According to reports, a car repair shop was also hit by a blast.
The missiles entered Kyiv in several powerful waves coming from all different directions, said spokesman Sergei Popko.
Kharkiv was then hit by at least four explosions that tore through the already blitzed city.
There are no words to describe what you feel then, just the whole body starts shaking. This is the state I am in, messaging you with my shaky fingers, not knowing if this might be my last message
Olena Kurylo
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said: “We have information about non-residential area being hit. As for the injured, clarification is underway.”
Olena Kurylo was forced to hide in her bathroom as the missiles exploded around her.
She told reporters moments after the blasts: “My phone is exploding with new missile alerts. My mind is numb with fear for my daughter and everyone in the city.
“I am trying to stay calm then another missile rushes right close to us, and I hear the whistle of death right close.
“There are no words to describe what you feel then, just the whole body starts shaking. This is the state I am in, messaging you with my shaky fingers, not knowing if this might be my last message.”
Missiles also hit Lviv, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk making the latest attack one of the worst since the war started.
In Mykolaiv, reports said the Ocean plant, where kamikaze sea drones were reportedly made, was targeted along with a warehouse with ammunition.
Kyiv’s US ambassador Bridget A Brink said: “Now in Kyiv and around the country, men, women, and children awoke to another massive Russian missile and drone attack.
“We rely on Ukraine’s air defence – and its heroic air defenders – to protect us all. There is no time to lose. Ukraine needs our security assistance now.”
Russia later claimed the strikes on residential buildings were down to Ukrainian air defences.
This comes after Nato revealed plans for its largest military exercises since the end of the Cold War that will see 32 countries prepare for a Russian attack.
Steadfast Defender 2024 is now underway across thousands of miles of Europe as armadas, fighter jet fleets and 90,000 troops conduct land, sea, air, cyber and space operations.
In a sobering Nato briefing today, Assistant Chief of Staff of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Brigadier General Gunnar Bruegner said the “clock is ticking”.
Without mentioning Russia by name, he said Nato must prove it is “ready” for any threats to its security.
“Every exercise matters….the biggest picture is deterrence,” the military chief added.
Bruegner’s statements come amid a flurry of recent warnings from top military chiefs and policymakers over the threat of full-scale war with Russia in the coming years.
East2WestThick clouds of smoke was seen billowing through the air after the attacks[/caption]
East2WestCars were set on fire in the blasts[/caption]
ReutersA missile exploding over a residential block in Kyiv[/caption]
East2WestExplosions have erupted all over Ukraine, including its capital city Kyiv, as Vladimir Putin’s troops have launched a new mass missile attack on Ukraine[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
