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Poland Scrambles Jets as Russian Strikes Near NATO Border Prompt Bulgarian NATO Request
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Russian Air Attacks Near Poland’s Border
Overnight Russian strikes hit western Ukraine close to the Polish frontier. In the Volyn region, power outages affected roughly 370,000 residents and two people were injured, according to Governor Roman Romaniuk. A drone attack in Kharkiv killed three and injured five, while an apartment-block strike in Uman caused a similar number of injuries. Ukrainian private power firm DTEK reported emergency cuts in Kyiv. Russian officials claimed to have shot down 644 Ukrainian drones, including 94 aimed at Moscow, and said air defences blocked a Ukrainian drone targeting a heating plant in the Vladimir region.
Poland’s Immediate Air-Defence Response
Poland’s armed forces announced that they scrambled fighter jets during the attacks and recorded no violation of Polish airspace. The alert was described as the latest in a series of alerts as Russia intensifies tests of regional defences.
Bulgaria Seeks NATO Reinforcement
Following a commercial vessel hit off Bulgaria’s coast, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Sofia has formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and antidrone systems. He added that letters have been sent to the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander urging stronger capabilities on Bulgarian territory. Bulgaria is also expected to join a NATO antidrone initiative by the end of October and has proposed a moratorium on attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea. Stoyanov indicated plans to meet Romanian and Turkish counterparts to coordinate a common approach to the Black Sea situation. NATO did not immediately comment on the request.
Regional Security Implications
The incidents have heightened concern among NATO’s eastern-flank members, including Romania, Moldova, Poland and the Baltic states, which have reported multiple drone intrusions into their airspace and waters since the summer. Recent drone strikes on at least seven cargo ships off Romania and Bulgaria have left 25 people dead or missing, underscoring the growing bellicose character of the conflict and prompting calls for reinforced collective defence measures.
Verbatim Quote
“We have sent letters and a request to the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander, urging them to strengthen our capabilities, which also means deploying additional forces on our territory. We are awaiting their decision,” — Dimitar Stoyanov, defence minister