NATO scrambles warplanes as Russia shoots down West's F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine onslaught

NATOhas scrambled its warplanes after Russia used 500 missiles to down an F-16 fighter jet.

A Ukrainian F-16 supersonic fighter supplied by the Westwas shot down with the loss of a “hero” pilot amid a desperate operation to counter 500-plus strikes by Vladimir Putin’s forces.

Pilot Lt-Col Maksym Ustimenko, born in 1993, shot down seven air targets using all his weapons before he was hit.

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Poland's operational command announced that NATO fighters were scrambled because of the intensity of Russian onslaught on Ukraine.

“Due to the attack by the Russian Federation carrying out strikes on objects located in the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in our airspace,” said a statement.

“The Operational Commander of the [armed forces] has activated all available forces and resources at his disposal.

“The on-duty fighter pairs have been scrambled, and the ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have reached the highest state of readiness.

“The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the areas bordering the threatened areas.”

the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk was hit as apocalyptic footage showed a former oil refinery up in flames.

The city was attacked simultaneously by Putin’s forces with cruise missiles, Kinzhal - which translates as "Our Dagger" - hypersonic missiles, and Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones.

It was the most powerful onslaught against the city since the start of the war.

The attacks were across the country and amounted to one of the heaviest bombardments of the three year conflict.

A missile strike on Zaporizhzhia left an industrial facility on fire.

“A production facility of one of the enterprises was damaged,” said Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional military administration.

Mykolaiv and Donetsk region were also hit.

The NATO defence moves comes after the Russians targeted Lviv in western Ukraine.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said Russian forces attempted to strike critical infrastructure, but no civilians or residential buildings were affected.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia had unleashed 537 missiles and drones including 477 Hashed drones.

Four Kinzhal and seven Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles were fired at Ukraine.

The blitzkrieg also included 41 Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles.

It comes after Russia issued a new threat against NATO after one of Britain's allies - and Russia's neighbour - said it was "ready" to host RAF warplanes that can carry tactical nuclear bombs.

In thesecurity defence review unveiled this week by Keir Starmer, it was announced the RAF will be equipped with twelve new F-35A fifth-generation aircraft by 2030, which will be "available to fly NATO’s nuclear mission in a crisis". Estonia's defence minister Hanno Pevkur said today that his country would "naturally" be prepared to host some of the jets - sparking a furious reaction from Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, who was asked byRussian media if such a move would be perceived as a threat to Moscow.

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