Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called for a “unilateral ceasefire in the skies” after Russia launched its latest aerial attack on the energy infrastructure in Ukraine, killing at least five people and wounding 10.
The assault targeted nine regions and left thousands of Ukrainians without electricity as the war rages on. Among the regions targeted was Lviv, which lies about 40 miles east of the Polish border. Ukrainian officials said it was one of the largest attacks on Lviv since the war began.
Zelensky estimated that more than 50 missiles and 500 drones were used in the overnight Russian attack.
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“Today, the Russians once again targeted our infrastructure — everything that ensures normal life for our people,” he said on X before calling on Ukraine’s allies to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to commit to a ceasefire.
“We need more protection and faster implementation of all defense agreements, especially on air defense, to deprive this aerial terror of any meaning,” he added. “A unilateral ceasefire in the skies is possible — and it is precisely that which could open the way to real diplomacy. America and Europe must act to make Putin stop.”
Zelensky previously recommended that Ukraine and its European allies build a joint aerial shield to thwart Russian attacks from the skies.
“This is possible,” he said at the Warsaw Security Forum last week. “Ukraine can counter all kinds of Russian drones and missiles, and if we act together in the region, we will have enough weapons and production capacity.”
Despite President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure peace, Russian aggression against Ukraine has persisted and put Europe on edge with its airspace incursions.
In recent weeks, Russian drones have violated the airspace of Poland and Romania. Additionally, Russian warplanes entered the airspace of Estonia without permission. There were also drone sightings near airports in Denmark and Norway, but it remains unclear whether Russia operated those drones.
Since then, Poland and other European nations that are NATO members have been on high alert.
The latest Russian aerial attack prompted Poland to scramble its fighter jets.
“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” Poland’s operational command said early Sunday.
“These actions are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing the airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened region.”
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NATO members are growing increasingly concerned that Russian aggression will continue. European leaders met in Copenhagen, Denmark, last week to discuss the security threats they face from Russia.
After the repeated airspace incursions, Trump indicated the United States would get involved to protect Poland and other Baltic states if Russia escalates its war with Ukraine.