EU, Poland, Czechia Boost Air Defenses Amid Russian Attacks on Ukraine

European allies, including the EU and the Czech Republic, are intensifying support for Ukraine's air defense amid ongoing Russian drone and missile attacks. The EU has introduced a new round of sanctions targeting Russian energy imports and proposed a significant increase in its defense budget to enhance procurement and research. The United States has symbolically rejoined the Ukraine Defence Contact Group but remains neutral, while Czechia commits to expanding its military aid by cooperating with Germany to supply air defense systems such as IRIS-T and Gepard. Russia continues its aggressive strikes, recently targeting multiple Ukrainian regions including Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage. In response, Poland has heightened its air defense readiness, deploying combat aircraft and activating ground-based air defense and radar systems to protect its airspace and borders from potential spillover threats. These developments underscore the escalating military tensions and the growing international commitment to bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities.