NATO fighter jets have been scrambled in Poland and along the Alliance’s eastern flank as Vladimir Putin used strategic bombers and modern warplanes to unleash terror on Ukraine.
Russia staged a brutal attack on Ukraine this morning, targeting energy and military facilities to plunge civilians into darkness and misery ahead of the festive season.
A massive Russian onslaught had been expected, but there were no immediate reports of fearsome medium range ballistic missile Oreshnik being deployed, as had been predicted, although it may yet come.
Instead, Ukraine was hit with Iskander, Kalibr, Kinzhal [or Dagger] missiles and Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drones, launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers and MiG-31Ks.
Footage showed missiles flying over Kyiv, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions, while huge clouds of smoke were seen after strikes in Odesa and Ternopil regions.
The capital Kyiv was hit by major power cuts – and underground trains stopped running, while people huddled in metro stations to escape the bombardment.
There were reports of an airbase being hit, along with warehouses and a plant producing drones and repairing helicopters.
Energy minister German Galushchenko said: ‘The enemy continues its terror.
‘Once again, [the power sector][ throughout Ukraine is under massive attack.