NATO Mobilizes Fighters Amid Russian Drone Barrage on Ukraine, Indicating an Upcoming Spring Offensive

(SeaPRwire) –   Reports indicate that Russia conducted an overnight aerial bombardment of Ukraine on Monday, deploying nearly 400 drones and dozens of missiles, an action that prompted NATO to deploy fighter jets in neighboring nations.

According to The Associated Press, which cited Ukrainian officials, the extensive attack resulted in at least four fatalities and over 25 injuries, with impacts reported in various areas including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

East2West reported that both Poland and Romania deployed fighter jets as Russian munitions neared NATO territory, with Poland’s operational command noting that its air defenses were placed on maximum alert.

“In response to the operations of long-range Russian aviation targeting Ukrainian soil, Polish and allied air assets have been deployed within our airspace,” Poland’s operational command stated, as reported by East2West.

Earlier, two F-16s were launched by Romania, a NATO member, as Russian drones targeted Ukrainian territory near the Danube River, which serves as a border between the two nations.

Ukrainian military commanders noted that Russian forces have ramped up hostilities along the 750-mile front, with hundreds of engagements recorded over the past few days.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that this surge indicates the commencement of Moscow’s expected spring-summer offensive, as noted by The Associated Press.

While Ukraine’s air force reported the launch of nearly 400 drones, officials stated that the majority were either neutralized or diverted, though some managed to strike their intended targets, according to East2West.

The Ukrainian air force further reported that Russia fired 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles overnight, impacting at least 10 different areas throughout the country.

Ukrainian citizens have faced continuous attacks since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago. Despite U.S.-facilitated negotiations over the last year, no relief has been achieved, and Russia has declined Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire.

These recent strikes followed a targeted Ukrainian operation against Primorsk, Russia’s primary Baltic port, which left the major export facility burning, according to East2West.

In other developments, Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador to London, warned of “dire” repercussions regarding Ukraine’s alleged deployment of Storm Shadow missiles, which recently struck a microelectronics facility in the Bryansk region of Russia.

“The British, whose involvement is essential for the deployment of Storm Shadow missiles, chose to draw attention to both Ukraine and themselves,” he stated. “However, every action carries consequences. For all those implicated in the Bryansk incident, the results will be severe.”