NATO jets respond to new Russian strikes

NATO jets were activated after a new Russian strike, as diplomatic talk surfaces amid mounting tensions and power disruptions.

NATO war planes scrambled after latest Russian attack on Ukraine

NATO war planes were scrambled overnight as Russia launched another round of attacks on Ukraine, including 30 explosions across the Poltava region. Long-range missiles were reported to have been fired from Caspian Sea-based bombers, prompting Polish air defenses and allied operations to raise their alert levels. The strikes hit energy infrastructure and residential areas, causing thousands to lose power and prompting emergency services to respond.

In parallel, a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump touched on peace and negotiations, with both sides discussing the possibility of higher level talks. Putin's aide later characterized the conversation as frank and constructive, though not confirming a meeting date. Ukraine and regional authorities reported continued damage across several cities, and the energy sector remained vulnerable as power networks worked to restore supply.

Diplomacy and military action are competing narratives here. Leaders publicly urge restraint and peace while the battlefield mood remains volatile. The episode highlights how fragile negotiations are when military actions outpace statements from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv. A key test will be whether talks translate into verifiable pauses on the ground or if fighting resumes once targets shift.

Highlights

Diplomatic space for negotiation exists, but the immediate weather is war.