The Warsaw Armed Forces explained that the measure aims to ensure security in areas adjacent to zones threatened by Putin's troops. Poland stated that it had sent fighter jets and mobilized all available forces on Sunday in response to a 'massive' missile and drone attack by Russia on Ukraine.
'Due to a massive attack from Russia, which is conducting strikes using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones against sites located, among other places, in western Ukraine, operations of Polish and allied aircraft have begun,' announced the Polish Operational Command. These measures were 'intended to ensure security in areas adjacent to threatened zones.'
Ukraine's Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, said on the Telegram platform that 'a massive attack on our energy system is underway' and that Russian forces were 'attacking electricity generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine.' Local authorities and Ukrainian media reported numerous explosions across the country.
Power cuts affected Kyiv and other regions in eastern Ukraine following the attacks. Electricity and water were also cut in certain parts of Odesa, a major port city in the south. The Ukrainian energy operator (DTEK) announced that this is the eighth major attack on its power plants this year. Ukraine is seeking assistance to rebuild the electricity grid and obtain more air defense equipment.
The wave of attacks left at least eight dead and around twenty injured. Two employees of the state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia died in the bombing of a depot. One person died in Lviv in the west, and two were injured. In Mykolaiv, a drone attack killed two people and injured six others. Injuries were reported in several cities, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro.
The Ukrainian chancellor declared that these attacks are 'the true response' from Putin to leaders who recently called him or visited. Kyiv expressed its displeasure over a phone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Putin. Ukraine's position is clear in not ceding territories occupied by Russia, while Moscow makes this a condition.
The recent victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential elections has reopened the debate on possible negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Trump has criticized aid to Kyiv and claimed he could resolve the conflict in '24 hours.' Zelensky stated he wishes to end the war in his country before 2025 through diplomatic means. However, Russian and Ukrainian positions remain opposed.
