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Poland has been forced to scramble fighter jets to “ensure the security of Polish airspace” after Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine.
The Polish military said ground-based air defences and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness during the attack overnight on Friday.
Russia fired 93 missiles and almost 200 drones overnight, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago.
Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year, Mr Zelensky said.
Russia is “terrorizing millions of people” with such assaults, he said on his Telegram channel, renewing his plea for international unity against Russian president Vladimir Putin.
“A strong reaction from the world is needed: a massive strike – a massive reaction. This is the only way to stop terror,” Mr Zelensky said.
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
Winged explosives weighing up to 1,500 kilograms – and nicknamed the ‘building destroyer’ – have had a devastating impact wherever they have been used, writes Tom Watling. Kyiv is battling them as best it can but needs Western allies to step up and provide more weapons, air defences and ammunition
Tom Watling14 December 2024 01:00
Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia’s sanctions evasion
Tom Watling13 December 2024 22:00
In pictures: Ukrainians on the frontline in eastern Ukraine
Tom Watling13 December 2024 21:00
Russia launches barrage of 300 missiles and drones against Ukraine
Tom Watling13 December 2024 19:00
British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
Tom Watling13 December 2024 18:00
Russia avdance in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, says Estonian intelligence
Tom Watling13 December 2024 17:01
US military confirms drone sightings at air base in Germany
Drones were spotted flying over the US air base at Ramstein in Germany in early December, a spokesperson for the US Air Force said on Friday.
There were “no impacts to base residents, facilities, or assets,” the spokesperson said. “In concert with host nation authorities, we continue to monitor the airspace to ensure safety and security of the community.”
A security source told Reuters that German authorities had not traced the operators of the drones, but had ruled out the possibility that the drones were operated by amateurs.
The drone sightings over Ramstein were first reported by German news magazine Spiegel, which said a report by German security authorities had flagged a number of unexplained drone sightings over the base in the evening hours of 3 and 4 December.
Spiegel said drones were also sighted over locations belonging to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and chemicals group BASF.
“The safety of BASF sites is our top priority,” a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We therefore keep an eye on suspicious activities at all times and work closely with the relevant security authorities.”
Tom Watling13 December 2024 16:31
