Poland Deploys Fighter Aircraft as Russia Strikes Western Ukraine
Russia targeted Ukraine with missile and drone attacks through the night on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, focusing on the key western urban center of Lviv.
Neighboring country Poland deployed combat aircraft to ensure the safety of their national airspace, the national defense forces announced. NATO partner planes were also deployed.
Regional governor local authorities confirmed two individuals were killed in strikes in the area, and two more injured.
In other developments, Russia again targeted Ukraine's power plants - and a facility was hit in an overnight attack on Zaporizhzhia, where the mayor reported an individual died and over seventy-three thousand residents were without electricity.
Defensive Measures
The Russian assaults came shortly following a American representative said the United States would endorse Ukraine conducting long-range attacks within Russia's borders.
"Polish and allied aircraft are active in Polish skies, while land-based anti-aircraft systems and surveillance radars have been activated at maximum alert level," military officials said.
At early morning, all of Ukraine was under air raid alerts following Ukrainian Air Force warnings of Russian missile and drone attacks.
Energy System Attacks
Russia has stepped up its assaults against the country's power grid.
Lviv's mayor local officials said part of the city - 43 miles from the Polish frontier - had no power, adding that the city's air defence systems were engaged heavily in repelling first a drone and then a Russian missile attack.
As of 07:30, multiple areas were left without power and public transport was not operational, with Sadovyi stressing that it was "dangerous to go out into the streets".
In the Zaporizhzhia area, the nocturnal assault left "over seventy-three thousand users... without power", according to regional officials.
One person was killed, and nine injured, Fedorov said.
A 16-year-old girl was one of those requiring hospital treatment, officials noted, posting photos apparently showing a partly destroyed apartment building and a burnt-out car from the impact location.
Regional Impact
Public transport in Ivano-Frankivsk, would "start running later than usual" on Sunday, its city administration announced.
The multiple strikes were part of Moscow's offensive against the entire nation during the night.
At around 06:00, Ukrainian defense officials said all of the country was facing danger of fresh Russian missile attacks, following prolonged alert periods and notifications of aerial assaults.
Territorial Control
Russian forces have taken control of the majority of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, including key eastern cities.
Russia currently controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.
International Context
In Russian territory, anti-aircraft systems eliminated multiple UAVs overnight, news agencies stated on Sunday morning.
Last week, a US Special Envoy indicated that the United States would back Ukraine launching deep strikes inside Russian territories.
Meanwhile, another Nato member - the Baltic nation - had to close its airspace temporarily after objects were spotted.
Authorities halted air traffic at its main Vilnius airport for several hours, before reopening it at 04:50 on Sunday.
The aviation authorities said the flight suspensions and diversions were "due to a potential stream of aerial objects heading toward the aviation facility".