Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight, targeting the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv.
The scale of the assault prompted Poland to scramble fighter jets to protect its airspace in a mission that lasted several hours, though officials confirmed there was no violation of Polish airspace.
The Polish border lies just 90 kilometers from Lviv.
The overnight bombardment was Russia’s third-largest drone assault on Ukraine in 2025, according to military officials, underscoring Moscow’s continued escalation in the conflict.
Ukraine’s air defense systems worked through the night to intercept the waves of drones, but several missiles struck energy and residential infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts.
The attack also drew responses from Kyiv’s allies. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that European countries will need to provide the “lion’s share” of security guarantees for a post-war Ukraine, signaling a recalibration of Washington’s role in long-term defense commitments.
Meanwhile, Belarus — a close ally of Moscow — is considering equipping its domestically produced Polonez missile systems with nuclear warheads, according to state media.
Belarus already hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons under Moscow’s control, but officials in Minsk suggested they were studying how to expand capabilities with indigenous systems.
Military analysts warn such a move would further escalate tensions with NATO, given Belarus’ shared borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.