NATO war jets have been forced to scramble after Vladimir Putin unleashed a terrifying drone strike on Odesa. It comes as hopes of ending the gruelling conflict continue to falter after

Business Insider flew aboard the decades-old aircraft during a recent surveillance mission. NATO plans to replace the E-3 in the coming years.

Captain Mark Lawrence, commodore of Destroyer Squadron Two and sea combat commander aboard the Gerald R. Ford, told U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa on Sunday: "Our collective surface force's transit into the North Sea reaffirms our resolve to enhance peace, stability and deterrence across the European continent."

The air force said Russia launched 574 drones and 40 missiles in its overnight barrage, of which 546 drones and 31 missiles were intercepted or otherwise suppressed. Impacts were reported across 11 locations,