Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, suggested the possibility of Russia creating a “sanitary zone” in Poland, leading to heightened fears of conflict between Russia and NATO. Medvedev implied this in a Telegram post following renewed hostilities, asserting the need for such a zone “within Poland itself” if Ukraine continues its attacks on Russian territory.

On Friday, Ukraine targeted fuel depots, oil facilities, and a power station in southwestern Russia and Crimea, with the Russian Defense Ministry reporting the interception of over 100 Ukrainian drones. This conflict comes amid recent Ukrainian missile strikes and ongoing Russian advances in northeastern Ukraine, specifically in the Kharkiv region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a visit to China that the military actions aim to establish a buffer zone and not to capture Kharkiv. These developments raise significant concerns due to NATO’s Article 5, which mandates collective defense for its member states, including Poland.

Additionally, Russia reported that it shot down 57 Ukrainian drones in the Krasnodar region and 37 over other southern territories. Ukraine stated it destroyed over 30 Russian drones in response. Meanwhile, in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces continue to combat Russian advances as local officials reported casualties from ongoing shelling. These incidents reflect ongoing tensions and military engagements between the two countries.