Vladimir Putin's recent military actions have prompted NATO to scramble warplanes, despite his earlier remarks suggesting that Donald Trump's peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the war in Ukraine. This escalation follows a tragic missile strike in Ternopil, Ukraine, which resulted in the death of a seven-year-old girl from Poland, igniting outrage from Polish officials.

The attack in Orlovka, near the Romanian border, occurred overnight, leading to the deployment of two F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from the 86th Air Base in Romania. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence confirmed that the jets were dispatched to monitor the air situation following Russian attacks close to NATO territory. Damage was reported to a ferry complex and border infrastructure, and a gas compressor station was also hit, prompting the temporary closure of the border between Romania and Ukraine.

The missile strike in Ternopil killed at least 32 people, including six children. Among the victims was schoolgirl Amelia Gzhesko, who tragically died while embracing her mother during the attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “She will never fulfil any of her dreams. This cruel war must end, and Russia cannot win it. This is also a war for the future of our children.”

Despite the violence, Putin had previously indicated that he received Trump's 28-point peace plan through established communication channels with the US administration. He suggested that the plan could potentially form the basis for a final peace settlement but lamented that it was not being discussed meaningfully. Putin speculated that the US had not secured Ukraine's consent, stating, “Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under the illusion of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.”

However, hardline Russian politicians have voiced strong opposition to the peace plan. Alexei Zhuravlev, deputy head of the Russian defence committee, asserted that any agreements proposed by the US or EU would not lead to sustainable peace. He stated, “The conflict can be fully and completely resolved only in the case of our unequivocal victory on the front and Ukraine's capitulation.” Zhuravlev further claimed that Trump’s intentions were to maintain Ukraine as a deterrent against Russia, which he argued would necessitate a continued military presence on Russia's western borders.

In a retaliatory move, Ukraine launched a long-range drone strike on an oil refinery in Syzran, located in the Samara region of Russia, further escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the complexities of military engagement and diplomatic efforts for peace.