NATO scrambled its warplanes early today in response to a fierce Russian bombardment of Ukraine close to its border with Poland.

The Russian strikes – hitting vital energy facilities in the coldest weeks of winter – were led by Vladimir Putin‘s Tu-22 and Tu-95 strategic bombers.

The onslaught was seen as instant revenge for Tuesday’s Ukrainian aerial strikes on Russia, the heaviest of the almost three year war.

In particular, Putin was rattled by Ukraine’s use of British Storm Shadow and American ATACMS missiles which hit key defence facilities including a chemical plant in Bryansk region.

NATO forces went on full alert in Poland with warplanes scrambled, the country’s operational command headquarters said.

‘Duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,’ said a statement.

‘The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.’

President Zelensky described it as ‘another massive Russian attack’ and said Putin’s forces had continued to focus their attacks on his country’s energy infrastructure as Ukrainians face the harsh winter cold. ‘Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people,’ he said.

He added that more than 40 missiles had been launched in the attack, including ballistic missiles. At least 30 of these were destroyed, he said.

Additionally, more than 70 Russian attack drones were launched during the night.

Zelensky issued an appeal to Ukraine’s western allies to rapidly shore up its air defences, stating that ‘promises made by partners at the NATO summit in Washington… still remain partially unfulfilled.’

Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of the western city of Lviv, said that ‘during the morning attack, enemy cruise missiles were recorded on the territory of the region.’ 

Some seven TU-22M3 and six TU-95MS strategic bombers were in the air with the Ukrainian capital Kyiv among the targets.

Russia had earlier vowed to respond to Tuesday’s attacks when a reported 14 Western missiles and more than 200 drones hit chemical plants, energy facilities and other defence-related targets in Russia in Ukraine’s most ambitious aerial strike of the entire war.

‘The actions by the Kyiv regime supported by Western handlers will trigger retaliation,’ said the Russian defence ministry in a statement.

Russia claimed to have shot down eight £2million Storm Shadow missiles but this could not be verified.

Today Russia attacked with Kh-22 missiles, triggering emergency power outages in multiple Ukrainian regions, already hit by crippling electricity shortages due to earlier Putin strikes.

Sea-launched Kalibr missiles were also deployed. Gas facilities were also hit.

Herman Halushchenko, Kyiv’s Energy Minister, warned: ‘The enemy does not stop terrorising Ukrainians.

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