Poland scrambled its defence forces on Friday after Russian airstrikes hit western Ukraine near the Polish border. The Polish armed forces stated that fighter jets were deployed during the overnight attacks, though no airspace violations occurred.
The incident marked the latest alert for NATO eastern flank nations. Bulgaria subsequently requested help from the military alliance to strengthen its defensive capabilities.
In western Ukraine, strikes hit the Volyn region on the border with Poland, cutting electricity to 370,000 people. Regional Governor Roman Romaniuk reported that two individuals sustained injuries.
Further east in Kharkiv, a drone strike killed three people and injured five, according to the regional governor. Police in central Ukraine said strikes on an apartment block in Uman injured a similar number.
Private power company DTEK announced emergency electricity cuts across Kyiv due to the ongoing bombardments. Russian officials stated that air defences blocked a Ukrainian drone attack against a heating plant in the Vladimir region.
Russia claimed it shot down 644 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 94 heading for Moscow. Operations at Moscow’s four airports and St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport were suspended.
In the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks killed two people, according to the Russian-installed governor. Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian energy infrastructure and oil refineries has provoked criticism from United States President Donald Trump regarding global oil prices.
Tensions have risen near NATO territory since the summer following airspace and water intrusions reported by Romania, Moldova, Poland, and the Baltic states. In recent weeks, drones have struck at least seven cargo ships off the Black Sea coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, leaving 25 people dead or missing.
Drones hit two vessels off the coast of Romania. A commercial vessel sank off the coast of Bulgaria on Tuesday, prompting Sofia to summon the Russian ambassador.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the evidence pointed to Russia, though his government lacked definitive proof. Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov later told reporters that Bulgaria had formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and antidrone systems.
"We have sent letters and a request to the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander, urging them to strengthen our capabilities, which also means deploying additional forces on our territory. We are awaiting their decision," Stoyanov said.
NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Stoyanov plans to meet his Romanian and Turkish counterparts to discuss a common approach in the Black Sea, while Romania has also requested additional equipment.
