Russia on Sunday (Mar 24) launched an aerial assault on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the western region of Lviv, AFP reported citing officials, prompting Poland, a NATO member to deploy its jets.
“Explosions in the capital. Air defence is working. Do not leave shelters,” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram. Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said Stryi district, south of the city of Lviv, was also under attack.
The assault comes as Russia mourns the tragic terrorist attack on the Moscow concert hall and blames Ukraine for it.
Ukraine’s air defence forces destroyed about a dozen of Russia-launched missiles, said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, on Telegram. Preliminary information showed no casualties or major damage as a result of the attacks, he added.
Poland demands explanation from Russia
Russia’s aerial assault in Ukraine has prompted neighbouring Poland’s armed forces to scramble jets to ensure airspace safety near the border. It has been reported that Russia’s missiles flew close to the border of the NATO country.
During the attack launched by Moscow, a Russian missile briefly breached Polish airspace.
Polish armed forces said that they were on high alert due to “intensive long-range aviation activity” of Russia and the missile attacks in Ukraine.
It later reported that Russia had violated Poland’s airspace with a cruise missile which “entered Polish space near the town of Oserdow (Lublin Voivodeship) and stayed there for 39 seconds.”
The missile, according to Polish officials, penetrated the country’s airspace by around 1,000-2,000 metres.
Poland’s foreign ministry said it would demand an explanation and called on Moscow to “stop the terrorist air attacks on the inhabitants and territory of Ukraine, end the war, and address the country’s internal problems.”
Russia has doubled down on its military offensive against Kyiv as revenge for Ukrainian attacks during its recent presidential election.
“For the third pre-dawn morning this week, all of Ukraine is under an air alert and has been advised to seek shelter,” US Ambassador Bridget Brink posted on X.
“Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law,” he added.
Watch: Moscow Terror Attack: Putin says concert attackers were fleeing to Ukraine
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram there were no attacks on the city but some 20 missiles and seven attack drones had been launched against the broader Lviv region, targeting “critical infrastructure”.
(With inputs from agencies)
