NATO was forced to scramble fighter jets today as Russia launched its most intense strikes of the war on Western Ukraine . Estimates suggested between 20 and 30 missiles and 700 drones were fired overnight, killing two civilians and wounding 18 in Chernivtsi, near the Romanian border . Thick smoke clung to the city after the assault. Putin used his nuclear-capable Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers to hammer Ukraine in what was already the most intense week of the war for kamikaze drone