NATO fighter jets scrambled as Russia attacks Ukraine
July 28 (UPI) -- NATO aircraft were scrambled Sunday night to respond to a Russian attack on Ukraine, the Polish military said Monday.
"Polish and allied quick reaction aircraft were scrambled, and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness," Poland's Operational Command of the Armed Forces said in a statement.
"These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened region."
A few hours later, it issued a statement that the aircraft had concluded their deployment, adding that "no violations of Polish airspace were observed."
Swedish fighter jets stationed in Poland were among the aircraft scrambled, it said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement on Telegram on Monday that Russia launched 324 drones and seven missiles overnight, resulting in 311 of the attacks being either shot down or suppressed by electronic warfare.
"There were confirmed impacts of two missiles of various types and 15 strike UAVs at three locations," it said.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Office of the President, said in a statement on X that some of the Russian aerial strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including in the capital Kyiv.
"He wants nothing but war and Ukraine's defeat," he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "But defeat is not an option."
"Russia and its satellites are also testing NATO's response," he added. "Drones entering the airspace of the Baltic states are signals that must not be ignored."
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