Overnight, Poland activated its fighter jets to safeguard its airspace during an extensive Russian missile attack that affected the entirety of Ukraine. Since February, Poland, a NATO member, has consistently mobilized its air forces in response to escalated missile assaults by Moscow on Ukraine, reinforcing its role as a crucial ally to Kyiv through significant military support and training.
Russia Vs Ukraine: Moscow claims gains in Kharkiv; Five killed in Donetsk, Belgorod hit by drones | Watch pic.twitter.com/FciEHSzKIj
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) June 1, 2024
On a recent Friday night, the Operational Command of Poland’s Armed Forces addressed the situation, reporting a response to “intense long-range aviation activity” by Russia. This action was taken to “ensure the safety of Polish airspace,” and residents in the southeast of the country were advised of potential increased noise levels. Hours later, a follow-up announcement indicated that the overnight operations had concluded, marking an end to a “long busy night for the entire air defense system in Poland.”
The announcement detailed the scale of the Russian offensive, stating, “A massive long-range missile attack by the Russian Federation covered the entire territory of Ukraine, including regions bordering Poland.” The assault involved cruise missiles, Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic missiles launched from the Black Sea region. Notably, Shahed drones, supplied by Iran to Russia, have been particularly disruptive to civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.
Gov. Greg Abbott just lambasted “President” Biden for allowing our military bases in the U.S. to be invaded by illegals.
Biden is starting war with Russia yet letting our military at home be overrun.
Are you paying attention yet?pic.twitter.com/QngKCrs1is
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) May 31, 2024
Ukraine’s air force reported that it managed to intercept 35 of 53 missiles and 46 of 47 attack drones deployed by Russia during the night. The attacks included a variety of armaments launched from different locations: 35 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles from Tupolev Tu-95 bombers over the Caspian Sea, four Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and one Iskander-K cruise missile from Crimea. Additionally, Russian forces fired 10 Kalibr cruise missiles from the northeastern Black Sea, three Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles from occupied territories in the Zaporizhzhia region, and 47 Shahed-type drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, a Russian town.
In Ukraine, the repercussions of these attacks were felt strongly in the energy sector. German Galushchenko, Ukraine’s Energy Minister, confirmed on Saturday that regions such as Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk were targeted, impacting energy infrastructure significantly. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, reported “serious damage” to two of its thermal power plants.
The real danger to humanity right now is NATO:
‘Everyone with a brain knows deep attacks inside Russia is a way to nuclear confrontation’ – Pepe Escobar pic.twitter.com/q5xnWNFBWe
— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) June 1, 2024
An air alert was declared throughout Ukraine, including its western areas that share borders with Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, in anticipation of further threats from Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, drones, and Tu-95MS bombers.
This Russian military aggression coincides with a recent tragic event — a bombing at a supermarket in Kharkiv on May 25, which resulted in at least 19 fatalities and 44 injuries. This incident has intensified discussions regarding Ukraine’s potential use of Western-supplied weaponry to target Russian territories, a measure the U.S. had previously hesitated to endorse but has now approved.
Major Points
- Poland scrambled fighter jets overnight to protect its airspace from a comprehensive Russian missile attack that targeted all of Ukraine.
- The Polish Armed Forces reported intense Russian aviation activities, warning residents in the southeast of increased noise levels.
- Ukraine’s air defenses successfully downed a significant number of the missiles and drones launched by Russia, including sophisticated Shahed drones supplied by Iran.
- The Russian assault damaged crucial energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions, with significant impacts on thermal power plants.
- The escalation follows a recent attack in Kharkiv, intensifying debates over Ukraine’s use of Western weapons against Russian targets, now sanctioned by the U.S.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
