Poland scrambles jets, sirens wail in Lublin as Russia strikes Kyiv and Lviv
Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine, hitting Kyiv and Lviv. Poland responded by scrambling fighter jets and activating air raid sirens in the Lublin region.
Russian missile and drone attack
Russia carried out a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine using ballistic missiles and drones, striking the capital Kyiv and the western city of Lviv. In Kyiv, mayor Witalij Kliczko reported fires in non-residential buildings and garages, and at least one person was killed. The Kyiv Independent later put the nationwide toll at seven dead and fifteen wounded. In Lviv, two residential blocks were damaged and six people were injured, according to local services. Governor Maksym Kozicki confirmed that air defences were active and explosions were heard in the city.
The enemy is striking the capital with ballistic missiles. The threat of further attacks remains. Stay in shelters!
Poland’s military response
Around 2:15 a.m., Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces (DORSZ) announced that military aircraft had begun operating in Polish airspace. Fighter jets and an early warning aircraft were scrambled, while ground-based air defence and radar systems were placed on high alert. The command described the move as preventive, aimed at securing airspace in areas adjacent to the threatened zones.
Attention. Due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, military aviation operations in Polish airspace have begun.
- Air raid alert sounds in Kyiv; mayor warns of ballistic missile threat
- Poland’s Operational Command announces military aircraft operations in Polish airspace
- Explosions reported in Lviv; air defence active
- Air raid sirens activated in Lublin and most of Lublin voivodeship
- Alarm cancelled in Lublin region
Sirens in Lublin region
At 3:50 a.m., air raid sirens sounded across Lublin and most counties of the Lublin voivodeship, on the order of the Government Security Centre (RCB). Spokesperson Marcin Bubicz said the alarm was triggered by a credible threat of air strikes linked to Russian military aviation activity over Ukraine. The sirens were heard for about ten minutes and were cancelled shortly after 4:00 a.m. The northern part of the voivodeship was not covered by the alert.
I can confirm that we indeed have a threat of air strikes. This is information directly from the Government Security Centre. It is credible and confirmed.
Search for possible object near Turobin
Firefighters in the Lublin region are searching for an object that may have entered Polish airspace during the night. The search is focused near Turobin in Biłgoraj county, where residents reported a loud bang. A duty officer at the provincial fire service said multiple calls had been received and the reports were being investigated.
Zelensky’s US visit and warning
The attack came just hours after President Wołodymyr Zełenski returned from a visit to the United States. During talks at the White House, Donald Trump agreed to grant Ukraine a licence for the production of Patriot air defence missiles. Zełenski had already warned that Russia was preparing a massive missile offensive and again appealed to allies for air defence support.
The security of Ukrainians depends directly on the readiness of our partners to supply air defence missiles.
