Key Points and Summary – A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine over the weekend prompted a direct military response from NATO. Polish and other allied jets were scrambled as a precaution during the hours-long barrage.
-In a significant escalation, Lithuania’s Defense Ministry confirmed that one Russian drone, likely routed through Belarus, crossed into its NATO airspace.
-The attack infuriated U.S. President Donald Trump, who called Vladimir Putin’s actions “very disappointing” and immediately threatened to shorten his 50-day ceasefire ultimatum.
-Ukrainian officials described the attack as Putin’s violent answer to any calls for peace.
Russia’s War Just Spilled Into NATO: Jets Scrambled, Drone Crosses Border
A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Sunday was so severe that it led to the scrambling of NATO and Polish jets, according to a report Monday.
According to ABC News, the alert lasted for about three hours. The attack, overall, consisted of 324 drones and seven missiles, while more than 300 of the drones being intercepted, Ukraine’s defense ministry told ABC.
“Polish and allied duty aircraft have been scrambled and ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness,” Poland’s Operational Command said in a statement on X on Sunday.
It was the NATO Air Command and Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters that took part in the response, ABC News said.
The report also had Lithuania’s Defense Ministry confirming that one drone crossed into Lithuania from Belarusian airspace. Russia, ABC said, often routes drone attacks through Belarus’ airspace.
Beyond NATO: Trump and Zelenskyy React
President Donald Trump, during his visit to the U.K. this weekend, spoke up about the attacks and his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin- and hinted that this 50-day deadline for delivering a ceasefire might be reduced.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin, very disappointed in him,” Trump told reporters during his trip. “So we’re going to have to look and I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to lesser number, because I think I already know the answer what’s going to happen.”
Also reacting to the attack, and ripping Putin, was Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office.
“This is how Putin responds to calls to end the war and sit at the negotiating table,” Yermak wrote on Telegram, as cited by ABC. “Russian air attacks are still ongoing, with civilian infrastructure, homes and people, including in Kyiv, already affected.”
“There is no alternative to sanctions, strengthening Ukraine’s long-range capabilities and tough actions against Putin’s circle and Putin himself,” Yermak wrote. “He wants nothing but war and Ukraine’s defeat. And there will be no defeat.”
Zelenskyy himself added that Ukraine is “constantly strengthening the Ukrainian air shield and it is very important to maintain full understanding among partners about how exactly they can help. Step by step, we are closing the funding gap for drone production and this week I will have new talks with partners regarding this task.”Drones vs. Drones
Last week, with a drone attack of their own, Ukraine successfully struck a large munitions factory in Russia’s Stavropol region, southeast of Ukraine.
“According to local videos and witness accounts reviewed by independent media outlet ASTRA, the attack’s primary objective was the Nevinnomyssk Azot chemical plant, owned by EuroChem – Russia’s largest fertilizer producer,” Kyiv Post reported last week.
“In the Cold”
In a new analysis Sunday, CNBC wrote that the focus on trade wars has succeeded in pushing Russia and Ukraine “into the cold.”
“In heady times — and with trade wars dominating the news agenda — it’s easy to forget that Russia and Ukraine’s soldiers continue to fight for every inch of frontline territory in Ukraine,” Holly Ellyatt writes.
“It seems increasingly that both Russia and Ukraine are being left out in the cold, with even this week’s talks in Istanbul, involving negotiating teams from both sides, barely getting a mention in the media. As things stand, there’s an uneasy air when it comes to the direction of the war and prospects for peace.”
Unless Trump, as threatened, moves the deadline, the 50-day ultimatum expires on September 2, which is just over a month away.
“Analysts are skeptical that the threat of more sanctions will move Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table in good faith, let alone talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” CNBC said.
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
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