NATO scrambles warplanes as Russia shoots down West F-16 fighter jet
NATO has been thrust into high alert, with warplanes scrambled in response to Russia's colossal missile barrage that resulted in the downing of an F-16 fighter jet.
An F-16 supersonic fighter - part of the lethal arsenal provided to Ukraine by Western allies - was blasted from the sky during heavy combat, claiming the life of a Ukrainian "hero" pilot. Lt-Col Maksym Ustimenko, born in 1993, valiantly took out seven enemy aircraft using all his firepower until he was tragically taken down in the skirmish.
Poland's military nerve centre disclosed NATO's rapid reaction, stating: "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," according to an official communique.
The armed forces' top operational commander didn't hesitate to marshal all available military might. "The Operational Commander of the [armed forces] has activated all available forces and resources at his disposal."
Squads of on-duty fighters were launched as air defence systems and radar tracking were cranked up to maximum readiness. "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," reports the Mirror.
These decisive military manoeuvres serve one crucial purpose: "The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas."
Meanwhile, the onslaught brought apocalyptic destruction to Ukrainian soil, setting the city of Kremenchuk ablaze as chilling visuals captured a former oil refinery engulfed in flames.
Russia's forces unleashed their fury on the city, utilising an armoury of cruise missiles, the fearsomely named Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Shahed attack drones inspired by Iranian design.
The ferocious offensive against Kremenchuk marks the most severe since the conflict broke out.
The country has been subjected to one of the most intense bombardments since the conflict began three years ago.
An industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia was set ablaze following a missile strike.
Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration, reported that "A production facility of one of the enterprises was damaged,".
Mykolaiv and the Donetsk region were also targeted. NATO's defensive actions follow Russian attacks on Lviv in western Ukraine.
Lviv's Mayor Andriy Sadovyi confirmed that Russian forces attempted to hit crucial infrastructure, but no civilians or residential buildings were impacted.
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched 537 missiles and drones, including 477 Hashed drones.
Ukraine was targeted with four Kinzhal and seven Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles.
The onslaught also involved 41 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles.
This comes after Russia issued a fresh threat against NATO when one of Britain's allies - and Russia's neighbour - announced it was "ready" to host RAF warplanes capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs.
In the security defence review revealed this week by Keir Starmer, it was declared that the RAF will be furnished with twelve new F-35A fifth-generation aircraft by 2030, which will be "available to fly NATO's nuclear mission in a crisis". Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated today that his country would "naturally" be ready to host some of these jets.
This statement sparked an angry response from Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, who was questioned by Russian media about whether such a move would be seen as a threat to Moscow.
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