The war in Ukraine just hit a new and dangerous milestone.

Russia launched what Ukraine says is the largest air assault since the conflict began—nearly 500 drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory in a single night. In response, NATO fighter jets were scrambled in Poland as tensions escalated dangerously close to the alliance’s borders.

According to Ukraine’s military, the barrage included 479 drones, 16 cruise missiles, and four ballistic missiles. They claim to have intercepted almost all of them, with only 10 reported strikes and 17 additional areas damaged by falling wreckage. One Kh-22 cruise missile reportedly made it through Ukrainian defenses.

Ukrainian officials said 292 drones were shot down using conventional air defenses, while another 187 were disabled through electronic warfare systems—technology that jams or misleads incoming threats. If true, it would mean Ukraine’s systems repelled roughly 98% of the attempted strikes.

But the magnitude of the attack alone was enough to rattle Europe.

The Polish military scrambled both its own jets and NATO allied aircraft as a precaution. Though no incursion into Polish or NATO airspace occurred, Warsaw placed its ground-based air defense and reconnaissance systems on high alert.

Poland later confirmed that no borders were violated and its systems had returned to normal readiness. Still, the sheer proximity of the assault to NATO territory prompted fears of accidental spillover. In recent years, both Russian and Ukrainian missiles have unintentionally crossed into NATO airspace—raising the risk of a wider war with each incident.

Romania has already responded by building air raid shelters near its border with Ukraine, fearing exactly that kind of mistake.

This latest strike is part of a growing pattern. Just last week, Russia conducted what was then considered the largest drone and missile assault of the war—over 400 drones and 40 missiles. Now, that number has been dwarfed.

The attacks appear to be retaliation for Ukraine’s recent drone strikes inside Russia, including an unprecedented campaign that saw drones launched from within Russian borders after being smuggled in and assembled near targets.

These tit-for-tat escalations show that both sides are rapidly intensifying operations, with Russia ramping up production and deployment of drones at a pace not seen earlier in the war. In November 2024, the largest drone assault involved 188 drones—less than half of what was used in Sunday’s assault.

Meanwhile, NATO nations are watching closely. Each new missile volley heightens the pressure for Western governments to take stronger action or risk appearing impotent in the face of Russian aggression.

While Ukraine continues to claim high success rates in intercepting these attacks, the broader picture is clear: Russia is testing the limits of Western resolve. Every wave of missiles and drones probes Ukraine’s defenses—and NATO’s patience.

This isn’t just about territory anymore. It’s about strength, deterrence, and the West’s willingness to defend its own red lines.

With NATO fighters in the air and Russian drones darkening Ukrainian skies, the world is one misstep away from a wider war. And the clock is ticking.