Poland scrambled its fighter jets to protect the country's airspace after Russia launched a large-scale attack involving missiles and drones in neighboring Ukraine, targeting energy facilities and infrastructure in the war-torn country, according to reports.
The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said Friday evening that it had responded to "intense long-range aviation activity" by Russia to "ensure the safety of Polish airspace," Newsweek reported.
Three hours later, another statement said the operation had ended, following a "long busy night for the entire air defense system in Poland."
A "massive long-range missile attack by the Russian Federation covered the entire territory of Ukraine, including the regions bordering Poland," its armed forces said. "The strikes were carried out using cruise missiles, Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic missiles launched from the Black Sea region."
The barrage, the sixth major air attack on the Ukrainian power sector since March, according to Reuters, damaged energy facilities in the east, central and western regions of Ukraine, said the national grid operator.
Ukraine's air force downed 35 of 53 Russian missiles and 46 of 47 drones.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pleading with the U.S. and other allies to provide air defense systems, said the attacks were meant to terrorize civilians.
"Russia's main goal is to normalize terror, to use the lack of sufficient air defense and determination of Ukraine's partners," Zelenskyy said, Reuters reported.
"Partners know exactly what is needed. Additional 'Patriots' and other modern air defence systems for Ukraine. To accelerate and expand F-16 deliveries to Ukraine. To provide our soldiers with all the necessary capabilities," he said.
Russia's defense ministry said it is targeting Ukraine's energy sector in retaliation for Kyiv's attacks on its oil facilities, Reuters reported.
