Ukraine faced a significant escalation in conflict as a Russian air attack struck its capital, Kyiv, and the western region of Lviv early Sunday. Amid the assault, Poland demanded answers from Russia after a missile briefly entered its airspace.
The air attack occurred amidst a series of deadly exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. The strikes on Sunday followed the Russian military’s claim to seize the Ukrainian village of Ivanivske, amplifying tensions between the two nations.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter as explosions rocked the capital, while Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed attacks in the Stryi district near the Polish border.
Ukraine had earlier issued a nationwide air attack alert, warning of potential cruise missile launches from Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Although the alert was eventually lifted, the assault marked the third pre-dawn attack in four days.
Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, decried the relentless missile strikes, emphasising the enemy’s determination to wreak havoc on Ukraine.
In response to the breach of its airspace, Poland’s foreign ministry demanded clarification from Russia, emphasising the need to cease “terrorist airstrikes” and focus on internal issues. Meanwhile, Poland’s Defence Minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, activated air defence systems in response to the attack.
The missile incursion into Poland, travelling at high speeds just above ground level, raised alarms as it penetrated approximately two kilometres into Polish territory. The Polish army swiftly responded, tracking the missile’s trajectory and maintaining vigilance over Ukrainian airspace.
As the conflict continues, both Russia and Ukraine intensify their air assaults, targeting strategic locations and infrastructure, with both sides sustaining casualties and damages.
Ukraine’s military claimed successful hits on Russian naval assets and infrastructure in the annexed Crimea, further escalating tensions in the region.
As the situation continues to escalate, international observers express concerns over the conflict’s potential to escalate further and its broader implications for regional stability. With diplomatic efforts faltering, the conflict shows no signs of abating, posing a grave threat to peace and security in the region.