NATO scrambles fighter jets over Europe as drone sparks explosion in Poland

NATO has scrambled fighter jets in Poland amid an onslaught of Russian drone strikes on neighbouring Ukraine . The warplanes were sent up as a defensive measure as Vladimir Putin stepped up his aggression after a three-day ceasefire. Footage showed one Russian Shahed drone slamming into a building in Lutsk, Volyn region, and exploding. Some reports say the target was a Ukrainian SBU security service outpost. There was no immediate confirmation. "Due to the massive attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory, conducted using a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles, military aviation has begun operating in our airspace," said the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces . The commander "activated the necessary forces and resources at his disposal", it added. "Duty fighters and helicopters are operating, and ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of increased alert. "These operations are preventative in nature and are aimed at securing and protecting airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to threatened areas. "The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, and subordinate forces and resources remain ready to respond immediately." The attack hit multiple targets in western Ukraine. There were dead and wounded in Lutsk and the city centre was blocked off. Air attacks were reportedly continuing. In the Rivne region, a strike on a residential building killed two people and injured four others. Earlier a nine-month-old girl suffered serious leg injuries and was fighting for her life in hospital in Kryvi Rih. The escalating attacks this week contradict Putin’s comment that the war "is coming to an end". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today repeated Putin's long-held position that Volodymyr Zelensky should order the surrender of more than 20 per cent of Donetsk region still held by Ukraine as the basis for negotiation. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, "there will be a ceasefire, and the parties can calmly engage in negotiations", according to Peskov. Ukraine refuses to do so.