NATO Eastern Flank Responds to Wave of Russian Attacks on Ukraine

Poland and Romania activated air policing assets in response to a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes on western Ukraine, which killed at least 25 people and injured 73. The Polish Operational Command launched fighter pairs and airborne early warning aircraft, while Romania scrambled F-16 fighters after detecting a drone entering its airspace. The incident is part of a pattern of intermittent drone intrusions and debris falls along NATO’s eastern border during major Russian strike waves against Ukraine. The US State Department approved a possible $105 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine to strengthen its ability to maintain and operate its existing Patriot batteries.