NATO fighter jets were deployed in response to a severe missile and drone attack by Vladimir Putin’s forces, marking one of the most intense assaults in the ongoing conflict. Early today, Ukraine experienced power outages and heating disruptions as Russia launched 51 missiles and 653 drone strikes on civilian infrastructure, coinciding with plummeting temperatures below zero. Notably, a major thermal power plant in Kryvyi Rih, Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, was directly hit, causing damage to nearby residences.
The assault extended to the Kyiv region, targeting critical facilities such as the Bila Tserkva power plant, the devastated railway station in Fastiv, and the severely affected Vyshhorod. This onslaught, which reportedly cost Putin around £130 million, included advanced hypersonic Kinzhals – or Daggers. Significant damage to essential resources was reported in various regions including Lutsk, Poltava, Rivne, and Chernihiv, as well as Sumy, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, and Odesa.
In response, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 585 drones, 29 cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile, countering the relentless attacks that involved strategic bomber aircraft like the Tu-95MS and Tu-160MS. The intensity of the offensive prompted NATO member Poland to scramble fighter jets amid concerns that the ballistic and cruise missiles posed a threat to alliance territories.
In a related development, the US and Ukraine engaged in “constructive discussions” regarding a potential peace agreement, with representatives including Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner meeting in Florida. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Putin reiterated his focus on debilitating Ukraine.
Tragically, a 12-year-old boy lost his life in Dnipro due to the Russian strikes, adding to the toll of civilian casualties in the prolonged conflict. Meanwhile, residents in Kyiv sought refuge in underground metro stations as a safety precaution.
Ukraine retaliated with overnight strikes on a crucial oil refinery, aiming to disrupt Putin’s oil supplies without causing harm to civilians. The Ryazan refinery, vital to Moscow, was engulfed in flames as a result. Notably, a downed drone struck a residential tower in the city, marking the ninth such incident this year targeting the Ryazan refinery.
During these intense times, Ukraine’s military commander-in-chief acknowledged the challenges but reaffirmed the country’s resolve to resist Russian aggression. General Oleksandr Syrskyi expressed hope for continued support from international allies and readiness to defend against the aggressor in what he deemed a just war.