Russia Fired Everything in Its Arsenal
These were arguably Russia’s most intense air attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the war: Sirens wailed in numerous cities in the east and west of the country today, resulting in at least 30 people being killed.
Unprecedented Russian Air Raids Result in Casualties
During unprecedented Russian air raids on Friday morning, at least 30 people were killed, and 144 were injured in Ukraine, according to regional Ukrainian authorities. Additional casualties are suspected.
The Ukrainian leadership described it as massive terror against the civilian population. According to reports, there were fatalities in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, Lviv, and the capital, Kyiv, with injuries reported in other locations.
Most Massive Air Strikes Since the Start of the War
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired 158 rockets and combat drones. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Saluschnyj mentioned 122 rockets and cruise missiles, along with 36 drones.
Never before in the Russian war against Ukraine has there been such a powerful series of air attacks in a single day. The previously highest officially reported number of Russian rockets fired at Ukraine in a day was more than 90.
Russia Uses Its Full Arsenal
According to reports, the strikes occurred in multiple waves from different directions, involving the use of strategic bombers. “Today, Russia fired almost everything it has in its arsenal – with Kinzhal, S-300, cruise missiles, drones. Strategic bombers fired Ch-101/Ch-505 (Russian cruise missiles),” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Security policy expert Nico Lange stated on X, formerly Twitter, that the combined air attacks with well over 100 cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones had been planned for at least one to two weeks. They were not a spontaneous reaction to, for example, the destruction of a Russian ship by Ukraine, as planning periods for such complex attacks are too long.
“Unfortunately, such attacks by Russia were to be expected since Russia has apparently been saving newly produced cruise missiles for this purpose,” Lange continued. It is assumed that Russia currently has the material for two to three more such waves of attacks.
Demoralization of the Civilian Population as the Goal
The air strikes are seen as a targeted attempt by the Russian military leadership to break the resistance of Ukrainians against the invasion ordered by President Vladimir Putin. After the recent attacks, Zelensky spoke of significant damage to civilian areas: a maternity ward, educational institutions, a shopping center, and many private residences were hit. Many houses and civilian buildings were on fire.
In light of the numerous civilian casualties, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry referred to it as genocide and called on the international community to respond. The talk of war fatigue, a possible ceasefire, temporary relinquishment of territories (by Ukraine), or negotiations will not stop Russia, according to the statement. Moscow’s goal is the destruction of Ukraine.
International Response
US President Joe Biden also stated in response to the attacks that they made it clear Putin’s war goals had not changed. He once again called on Congress to approve additional funds for Kyiv. “Overnight, Russia launched its largest airstrike on Ukraine since the beginning of this war,” Biden said in a written statement.
He emphasized that with their military assistance, the United States had helped save many lives. “But if Congress does not urgently act in the new year, we will not be able to continue providing the weapons and vital air defense systems that Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must act without further delay.”
Meanwhile, Britain has pledged additional weapons to Ukraine. Hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles will be delivered to support Ukrainian defense capabilities.
Violation of Polish Airspace
In the course of the massive air attacks, a Russian rocket, according to the findings of the Polish army, also violated the airspace of NATO member Poland. “Everything indicates that a Russian rocket entered Polish airspace. We tracked it on radar, and it left the airspace again,” said Chief of the General Staff Wieslaw Kukula in Warsaw.
According to reports, the rocket was in Polish airspace for about three minutes, covering a distance of 40 kilometers. The western Ukrainian city of Lviv, which was also attacked by Russia today, is only about 70 kilometers from the Polish border.
Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and repeatedly targets civilian targets far behind the front lines. Last winter, objects related to the energy supply were the focus of Russian attacks. Experts warn of a repetition of this tactic this winter.