Poland scrambled fighter jets after Russian strikes hit western Ukraine. Bulgaria is now asking NATO for help to strengthen its regional defenses.
Poland activated its fighter jets early Friday. This move occurred as Russia launched overnight attacks near the Polish border.
Also, the Polish military confirmed no foreign aircraft entered its airspace. The nation remains on high alert due to the regional conflict.
Meanwhile, Russian missiles hit the Volyn region in western Ukraine. These strikes cut electricity for 370,000 residents in the border area.
Furthermore, local officials reported two injuries in Volyn. Drone attacks also killed three people and injured five in Kharkiv.
Next, emergency power outages hit Kyiv. Private energy company DTEK confirmed the cuts following ongoing Russian strikes against infrastructure.
However, Ukraine also targeted Russian energy sites. Russia claimed it stopped a drone strike against a heating plant in the Vladimir region.
Later, Russian officials reported shooting down 644 Ukrainian drones. Authorities suspended operations at four Moscow airports and one in St. Petersburg.
As a result, tensions remain high across the region. Several nations worry about the war spreading beyond Ukrainian borders.
Still, Bulgaria now seeks help from NATO. The country wants more combat aircraft and better systems to stop incoming drones.
After that, Bulgarian officials expressed concern regarding maritime safety. Recent attacks hit several cargo ships in the Black Sea.
Finally, Bulgaria plans to meet with Romania and Turkey. They hope to coordinate a shared defense strategy against these threats.