Poland scrambles jets after Russian aerial strikes near border
Ukrainian officials have reported that at least 32 people were injured, including two children, following a wave of Russian drone strikes on the city of Kharkiv last night.
The explosions are said to have caused widespread fires and significant damage across several districts.
In the Osnoviansky district, rescuers evacuated 51 people, including three children, after ten parked cars near an apartment block caught fire.
The Slobidsky district also saw damage, with garages and private vehicles reportedly destroyed by fire, along with the roof of a three-storey commercial building. Emergency services, including bomb disposal experts and psychologists, were deployed to the affected areas.
Separately, authorities in the Chernihiv region reported that a Russian drone struck a dwelling in the city of Semenivka. The resulting fire was quickly contained by firefighters, and no casualties were reported in that incident.
Poland has taken defensive measures after a series of Russian aerial strikes hit western Ukraine, close to the Polish border. The armed forces of the NATO member country announced that Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled early Wednesday morning to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.
The Polish Operational Command stated on the X platform that "pairs of quick-reaction jet fighters and an early warning aircraft were mobilised, and air defence and radar surveillance systems reached the highest level of readiness."
The strikes prompted an air raid alert across almost all of Ukraine around 04:00 GMT, following warnings of missile and drone launches by Russia.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
