Poland scrambles fighter jets as Russia bombs Ukrainian cities

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Poland scrambled jets amid intensive Russian air attacks on many Ukrainian cities, including those close to Poland, the local media reported on Monday.

The air activity of the Polish and allied jets in the southeastern part of the country is a response to the operations of the long-range Russian bomber aircraft involved in attacks on Ukrainian cities, said the state-run PAP news agency.

Citing the military sources, the agency reported the Russian air activity was the most intense since July 8.

The armed forces also maintained that all necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of the country’s airspace, which remains under constant monitoring of the competent units.

Reports have emerged from local authorities and media since early Monday of explosions caused by a Russian attack over multiple regions of Ukraine, including its capital Kyiv.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported the movement of a large group of Russian drones across multiple regions, as well as the activity of 11 Tu-22MS strategic bombers.

Air raid alerts were issued across the country, with local authorities and media outlets reporting that explosions were caused by air defense systems destroying Russian drones.

Ukrainian private energy company DTEK announced that the power grid operator, Ukrenergo, has issued an order to implement an emergency blackout.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that power outages have been recorded in several districts of the capital and that there have also been interruptions in the water supply caused by the power outage.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Lviv and Rivne reported attacks on local energy infrastructure.

Russian authorities have yet to release a statement regarding the latest attack on Ukraine.​​​​​​​