LONDON — NATO fighter jets were deployed and air defense systems were placed on high alert in Poland and Romania during a significant Russian attack on Ukraine. Military officials reported that one drone entered Romanian airspace, traveling approximately five miles before disappearing from radar. The Romanian Defense Ministry confirmed the incident in a statement.

The overnight assault resulted in at least 10 fatalities in Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine, where Russian strikes hit two nine-story residential buildings. Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that 37 individuals were injured in the attack. "One is on fire, the other has destruction from the third to the ninth floor," the ministry stated. Approximately 500 rescuers and over 100 pieces of equipment were deployed to nine active locations to assist in recovery efforts.

Ukraine's air force indicated that Russia launched 476 drones and 48 missiles during the attack, targeting regions including Lviv, Ternopil, and Kharkiv. This assault marked the largest of November thus far and the most extensive since October 30, when 705 munitions were fired into Ukraine. Ukrainian defenders successfully downed or suppressed 442 drones and 41 missiles, although impacts from 34 drones and seven missiles were reported across 14 locations, with debris falling in six areas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating that they reflect insufficient pressure on Russia. He emphasized the need for accountability and urged for enhanced capabilities to intercept Russian missiles and drones.

In response to the drone incursion, Romania's Defense Ministry deployed two German Eurofighters and two Romanian F-16s to monitor the airspace along the border with Ukraine. The drone was initially detected 8 kilometers inside Romanian airspace near Periprava and Chilia Veche, then intermittently tracked near Galati County before disappearing from radar. The ministry reported no incidents of drones impacting the ground in Romania and stated that teams are prepared for field searches.

In Poland, the Armed Forces Operational Command reported that fighter jets were scrambled and air defenses were placed on maximum alert during the Russian attack. This heightened alert lasted for about four hours, with no violations of Polish airspace reported. Polish, Dutch, Norwegian, and Spanish fighters participated in the allied response, along with German Patriot air defense systems. Additionally, Rzeszow and Lublin airports in southeastern Poland were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.