Romania, Poland scramble jets as Russia pounds Ukraine with drones, missiles

Romania and Poland scrambled military jets to protect their airspace after Russia launched a new wave of attacks on neighboring Ukraine, both countries said in statements.

Romania’s defense ministry said two F-18 aircraft belonging to the Spanish Air and Space Forces, which are engaged in the “Enhanced Air Policing combat service,” were deployed to monitor the situation. Poland’s armed forces said they had concluded operations to secure the country’s airspace and reported “no violation.” Both countries are members of the European Union and NATO.

Poland’s Air Traffic Authority said it temporarily suspended air operations at Rzeszow and Lublin airports because of military aviation activity during the strikes. Flights have since resumed.

Russia targets energy sites, killing five

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 190 drones as well as ballistic missiles. He said the main target was energy infrastructure in Kyiv and the surrounding region, though residential buildings were also damaged.

A supermarket was struck in the village of Ivankovychi, Zelenskyy said. Five people were killed, including a child.

“Our defenders managed to shoot down some of the ballistic missiles. But unfortunately, there were also hits,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He urged Ukraine’s allies to provide more air defense support as winter approaches.

Drone falls in Moldova

Moldova’s defense ministry said a drone fell on its territory during the “massive” overnight attacks. The ministry said the drone entered Moldovan airspace shortly before 5:45 a.m. local time and exploded on the outskirts of Hirbovat village in the Anenii Noi district.

“Police and national army teams are moving to the scene to investigate the incident,” the ministry said.

Poland lifts shelter warning

Poland later lifted a warning it had issued to residents of its eastern region. Earlier in the day, the Government Centre for Security had told people in Lublin to take shelter because of the Russian strikes on Ukraine. The centre said Polish fighter jets were operating in Polish airspace.

“ATTENTION! The air attack threat has been lifted. There is no threat within the territory of Poland,” the centre said.