NATO ally Poland sprang into action on Wednesday, scrambling fighter jets and raising its air defenses to maximum readiness amid one of Russia’s largest air assaults on Ukraine since the war began.
Poland’s Operational Command confirmed the deployment, stating that radar systems and ground-based air defense units were put on the “highest state of readiness.” The move came as Russia launched an unprecedented barrage of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles toward western Ukraine — perilously close to Poland’s border.
“These actions are aimed at safeguarding security in regions adjacent to the threatened areas,” Polish military officials said in a statement, noting they are “fully prepared to respond immediately if necessary.”
The escalation highlights growing tensions in Eastern Europe, where Poland has remained on edge ever since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in 2022. With missile debris previously landing near Polish territory, Warsaw has made it clear that any breach of its borders could trigger a strong NATO-backed response.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia unleashed a staggering 728 drones and decoy aircraft in Wednesday’s attack, shattering the previous record of 539 drones launched just days earlier. The strike also included seven cruise missiles and six ballistic missiles, intensifying fears that Russia is ramping up efforts to break Ukraine’s western defenses.
Ukrainian forces managed to intercept around 300 drones, with 400 reportedly missing their intended targets, officials told Newsweek. Strategic targets included Lutsk, located near the Polish and Belarusian borders, and the western city of Khmelnytskyi, home to vital military infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a cynical rebuke of diplomatic efforts aimed at brokering peace.
“This is a telling attack — and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all,” Zelenskyy said.
The timing of the assault also comes as President Donald Trump expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite their previously warmer interactions.
“We had a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin,” Trump said Tuesday. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump is considering deploying an additional Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, a move that would mark the first time his administration has gone beyond the weapons support previously authorized under President Biden. The Pentagon is reportedly providing Trump with a range of options to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Putin is doubling down, believing his military is gaining momentum and that Ukraine’s defenses may soon collapse. Citing unnamed Kremlin insiders, the report suggests Putin is uninterested in any ceasefire or peace talks unless Ukraine offers major concessions.
“He will not sacrifice his goals in Ukraine for the sake of improving relations with Trump,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
As Russia continues to escalate its military campaign and NATO allies like Poland mobilize in response, the window for diplomatic resolution appears to be narrowing—while the threat of broader conflict inches dangerously closer.