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Poland's foreign minister visits western Ukraine amid mass Russian attack on Kyiv, other cities

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Poland's foreign minister visits western Ukraine amid mass Russian attack on Kyiv, other cities
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (front row, second from the right) honoring victims killed during a Russian attack on Lapaivka, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, on Oct. 5, 2025, as part of Sikorski's official visit on Oct. 10. (Governor Maksym Kozytskyi/Telegram)

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski arrived in Lviv Oblast in western Ukraine on an official visit, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi announced on Oct. 10.

Sikorski's visit comes as Russia launched nearly 500 missiles and drones against the country, causing blackouts in Kyiv and central, southern, and eastern regions.

While no attacks were recorded in Lviv Oblast overnight on Oct. 10, the region suffered a massive strike on Oct. 5.

Four family members, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed that night in Lapaivka, a village on the outskirts of Lviv — a little over 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the Polish border.

Sikorski visited the site of the attack during his visit, laying flowers to honor the victims. He was accompanied by Kozytskyi, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mishchenko, and the Polish charge d'affaires in Kyiv, Piotr Lukasiewicz.

"Thank you, Poland, for the support and for sharing our pain in the most difficult moments," Kozytskyi said on his Telegram channel. "This is true brotherhood."

Earlier this week, Sikorski published a guest column for the New York Times, warning that Russia is only escalating its attacks in Ukraine and carrying out provocations on NATO territory despite a U.S.-led diplomatic push.

According to the minister, negotiations with Russia are only possible through pressure, specifically by increasing support for Ukraine and cutting off Russian energy purchases.

Poland has been Kyiv's staunch supporter since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022, welcoming millions of Ukrainian refugees and serving as a key hub for military aid flowing to Ukraine.

In early September, around 20 Russian drones violated the Polish airspace during a mass attack on Ukraine. The incident marked the first instance of a NATO member downing Moscow's military assets over its territory.

Multiple aerial incursions and drone sightings have been recorded across Europe since then, with some cases linked to Russia.

‘Missiles, one after another’ — Kyiv blackouts as Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy infrastructure once again
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Martin Fornusek

Senior News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

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