NATO scrambled its war planes today in self defence amid Vladimir Putin’s heaviest strikes on Ukraine in months, leading to multiple civilian deaths including three children. Russia was also hit hard with Ukrainian strikes, leading to the Kremlin’s air defences firing in panic – but missing – an Airbus A320-251N packed with its own tourists from Turkish resort Bodrum, according to reports.
At least 10 Russian government aircraft used for high-ranking state and military officials fled Moscow flying east. It was not immediately clear if the exodus was a drill for an emergency evacuation or the real thing amid an onslaught from Ukrainian drones, which led to the temporary closures of major Moscow airports.
Among the planes that left Moscow eastward in the direction of the Urals were four Tu-154s, one Il-62M, a pair of Tu-134s, a Tu-214, and transport aircraft Il-76MD and An-148. It coincided with the first time in many months that Russia deployed the entire spectrum of its nuclear-capable strategic bombers against Ukraine, firing conventional missiles from Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft – in addition to the use of kamikaze drones.
Amid savage attacks from Putin’s armed forces on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, Polish military high command announced it had “activated all available forces and resources” on NATO’s eastern flank.
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