Poland scrambles jets as Russia strikes Kyiv before US-Ukraine peace talks

Polish warplanes attacked the Ukrainian border after Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, was hit by Russian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles overnight.

The Polish military said its air force took a “preventive” response to secure airspace after at least one person was killed and 28 injured in Kiev, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported.

As the conflict continues, efforts to reach a peace agreement that all parties can agree on continue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday.

However, following the latest Russian attacks, Zelensky reiterated his claim that Russia “does not want to end the war and is trying to use every opportunity to inflict more suffering on Ukraine.”

Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said that Russia targeted energy and civilian infrastructure by directing approximately 500 drones and 40 missiles towards Kiev.

Pictures show apartment buildings with huge holes and burned homes following the strike.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that thousands of buildings were without electricity and many were left unheated as temperatures dropped below freezing.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said 68 people were evacuated from a nursing home in the eastern Darnytskyi region.

“Russian representatives are holding long talks, but in reality the Daggers [missiles] and Shaheds [drones] “We speak on their behalf,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, saying that Vladimir Putin did not want to end the war.

Calling on allies to show force against Russian aggression, he said, “This sick activity can only be countered with truly strong steps. America has this opportunity, Europe has this opportunity, many of our partners have this opportunity.” he wrote.

The attacks showed that Poland, which shares a 530 km (320 mi) border with Western Ukraine, had made warplanes, land-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance ready.

The Polish Armed Forces said the move was “aimed at securing and protecting airspace, especially in areas adjacent to threatened areas.”

Later Saturday morning, it concluded that the country’s airspace had not been violated.

Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry said its air defense destroyed seven Ukrainian drones overnight.

On Saturday, Zelensky, EU leaders and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are expected to have a phone call to discuss the path to peace.

Zelensky’s new 20-item draft is a revised version of the old 28-item plan prepared by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, which was widely considered to be too favorable to Russia.

Ukraine’s president expressed optimism about the new draft, calling it “a fundamental document to end the war,” but Trump warned that Zelensky “has nothing until I approve it.” In an interview with Politico.

The draft reportedly includes security guarantees for a coordinated military response from the United States, NATO and European allies if Russia invades Ukraine again.

Control of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas has been a sticking point in negotiations so far, but Zelensky has now said a “free economic zone” could be an option.

Trump told Politico he expects to see the new draft on Sunday.

“I think it’ll go well with him. I think it’ll go well [Vladimir] “Putin,” Trump said in the interview, adding that he expected to speak with the Russian President “soon.”