NATO scrambled its warplanes after
Russia launched a huge missile and drone attack
on
Ukraine
.
Over 500 missiles were reportedly unleashed by
Vladimir Putin
’s forces in an
apocalyptic blitz which turned the skies above Kremenchuk a crimson red
overnight.
And a Ukrainian fighter pilot was
hailed a “hero” as he died defending the nation from Mad Vlad’s force
s during a night of hell. Pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustimenko shot down seven air targets using all his weapons before he was hit, officials said.
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The Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement: “The pilot used the entire complex of on-board weapons, and shot down seven air targets,” said the Ukrainian air force. During the last exercise, his plane was damaged and began to lose altitude.
“Maksym Ustimenko did everything possible, took the plane away from a settlement, but did not have time to eject. He died like a Hero!”
The industrial city of Kremenchuk, which stands on the banks of the Dnieper River, was attacked by Putin’s forces with cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles and Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones.
Four Kinzhal and seven Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles were also fired. Apocalyptic footage showed a blast on a former oil refinery. It was the most powerful blitz on the city since the start of the war back in 2022.
A missile strike on Zaporizhzhia left an industrial facility on fire. Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration, said: “A production facility of one of the enterprises was damaged.”
Mykolaiv and Donetsk region were also hit in one of the heaviest bombardments of the three year conflict.
Ukraine claimed to have downed 475 out of 537 aerial targets – an astonishing success rate, many by its air force pilots. Putin order Tu-95 strategic bombers and MiG aircraft to carry out the sickening raids.
Poland’s operational command announced that NATO fighters were scrambled because of the intensity of Russian onslaught on Ukraine.
It said in a statement: “Due to the attack by the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on objects located in the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace. The Operational Commander of the [armed forces] has activated all available forces and resources at his disposal.
“The on-duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness. The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.”
The NATO defence moves came after the Russians targeted Lviv in western Ukraine. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said Russian forces attempted to strike critical infrastructure, but no civilians or residential buildings were affected.
The Ukrainian air force said
Russia
had unleashed 537 missiles and drones including 477 Hashed drones. Four Kinzhal and seven Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles were fired at Ukraine.
The blitzkrieg also included 41 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles.
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