NATO scrambles jets as Russia fires nearly 400 drones toward Ukraine, signaling new spring offensive

Fox News ^ | 24th March 2026 | Michael Dorgan

[Cronos]

Poland placed air defenses on the 'highest state of readiness' as Russian strikes approached NATO airspace, Poland's operational command said

Russia launched nearly 400 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine overnight Monday, triggering NATO to scramble fighter jets in neighboring countries, according to reports.

The massive aerial assault killed at least four and injured >24, with strikes hitting multiple regions including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv

Poland and Romania both scrambled fighter jets as Russian strikes approached NATO airspace, East2West reported, with Warsaw placing air defenses on the "highest state of readiness," Poland’s operational command said.

"Due to the activity of long-range Russian air forces conducting strikes on Ukrainian territory, Polish and allied air forces have begun operating in our airspace," Poland’s operational command said.

Hours earlier, two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled in fellow NATO state Romania as Russian drones attacked Ukraine near the River Danube, the outlet reported. The Danube forms part of the border between Ukraine and Romania.

Ukrainian military leaders said Russian forces have intensified attacks along the roughly 750-mile front line, with hundreds of assaults reported in recent days.

The Institute for the Study of War said the escalation suggests Moscow’s long-anticipated spring-summer offensive is now underway, according to The Associated Press.

Ukraine said Russia launched nearly 400 drones. most were intercepted or disrupted, although some were able to hit their targets, according to East2West.

Russia also launched 23 cruise missiles and seven ballistic missiles at Ukraine during the night, hitting at least 10 locations across the country, according to the Ukrainian air force.

Ukrainian civilians have endured relentless barrages since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago. U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv over the past year have brought no respite, with Russia rejecting Ukraine’s ceasefire offer.

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia; Ukraine; War
KEYWORDS:

[Cronos]

The latest strikes came after Ukraine hit Russia’s largest Baltic port, Primorsk, in a pinpoint attack a day earlier, leaving the key export hub in flames, East2West reported.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, threatened "dire" consequences over what he said was Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow missiles, which this month hit and damaged a microelectronics plant in Russia’s Bryansk region.

[maddog55]

The 4 year war continues with another spring offensive..how nice.

[maddog55]

The 4 year war continues with another spring offensive..how nice.

[blitz128]

Besides being able to launch drones and missiles Russia’s spring “offensive” appears to have started out gaining little to nothing with massive losses.

Think about this, over 4 years into his SMO/NWO/SVO Russia occupies less territory than it did in March of 2022.

What has he accomplished
High inflation
High interest rates rates
Collapsing GDP
Went from 2nd largest weapons exporter to net importer of weapons
Not only has his vaunted weapons systems proven inadequate in war with Ukraine, but have been crushed in Iran and Venezuela
Food exporter to food importer
Budget surplus to large budget deficits
Crushing restrictions on Russian access to WWW
Crushing new taxes
1000s of small businesses closing
Many large businesses at or near bankruptcy
Over one million dead or wounded Russians in a war that has lasted longer than the “great patriotic war”
Allie’s Venezuela, Syria, Cuba, Iran gone.
“Self sufficient “ to dependent on NK and China to survive

But hey I hear that he may have gained a few meters of land for thousands of Russians dead and wounded and hundreds of pieces of equipment damaged or destroyed

Everything is going according to plan, time to invade NATO countries😎

[Cronos]

this guy has been such a disaster for the Russian federation.

Since 1999 instead of focusing on building the considerable human potential that Russia has (there are tons of smart Russians - unfortunately now many have left), tied it in to the mineral wealth they have and just go for booming economy rather than vainly spreading military money to get ‘friends’ - can you imagine how much better Russia (and the world) would be?