Russia Strikes Ukraine; NATO Bolsters Northern Defenses

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles that struck Kyiv and other regions, killing at least four people — including a 12-year-old girl — wounding dozens and damaging residential buildings, a cardiology centre and a kindergarten. Separately, unexplained drone sightings across Denmark and Norway this week forced temporary airport closures, flight diversions and short airspace shutdowns, prompting Denmark to impose a five-day civilian drone ban. Denmark called in NATO allies for reinforcements, with Germany, France and Sweden sending troops, radar and anti-drone systems, and NATO deployed the German Sachsen-class frigate FGS Hamburg to Copenhagen while allied aircraft joined patrols and air defenses. Ukraine has deployed specialists to Denmark to share frontline counter-drone experience and take part in exercises intended to help build a broader European “Drone Wall.” Investigations have not publicly attributed the northern incursions, though Danish leaders have pointed to Russian destabilisation efforts and Moscow denies intent to attack NATO or EU countries. NATO has said it is heightening vigilance across the region, including scrambled jets, Patriot deployments and tightened airfield restrictions.