- Massive Russian missile assault
- Civilian targets hit
- Western aid crucial
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia fired over a hundred missiles at multiple Ukrainian locations overnight, the majority of which were intercepted.
Since the beginning of the invasion, Russia has launched one of its most massive aerial barrages against Ukraine, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and over 160 injuries.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched over a hundred missiles and dozens of drones overnight, striking several communities. The majority of the missiles and drones were shot down.
On Telegram messenger, Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk described the strike as “the most massive attack from the air” and indicated it was Russia’s largest aerial assault since the conflict began in February 2022.
The assault, according to Army chief general Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, targeted industrial and military facilities as well as critical infrastructure.
An apparent Russian missile momentarily entered Polish airspace during the bombings, prompting the Western military alliance to state that it is “monitoring the situation” in Poland.
It is postulated that the missile traversed Polish airspace for a duration of three minutes prior to reentering Ukrainian airspace. Subsequently, Polish President Andrzej Duda ordered the National Security Council to convene an emergency meeting.
NATO’s Response to Alleged Missile Incident in Poland
NATO member Poland would anticipate support from other nations. Including the United States and the United Kingdom, in the event of an attack.
“Prime Minister Andrzej Duda and I discussed the missile incident in Poland,” stated Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of NATO.
“NATO maintains communication as the facts become clear, is monitoring the situation, and extends its solidarity to our valued ally.” The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation remains vigilant.
On Friday, the deputy foreign minister of Poland also convened a meeting with Andrei Ordash, the Russian charge d’affaires, to deliberate on a purported infringement of Polish airspace.
Mr. Ordash stated, however, that Poland had not presented any evidence of Russian involvement.
Mr. Ordash issued the following statement, which was published by the state-owned RIA news agency: “I was presented with a note containing an unsubstantiated allegation that a Russian guided missile violated Polish airspace on the morning of December 29. Polish specialists have identified the object as such.
“No evidence was provided.” My request for substantiated evidence regarding the contents of the note was denied.
HIT Lviv and Dnipro
A maternity facility located in the central city of Dnipro, as well as structures situated in the western city of Lviv, the southeastern port of Odesa, the city of Zaporizhzhia, and the eastern city of Kharkiv, all sustained damage.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko of the city stated that at least three people were murdered in the capital city of Kyiv, and ten others were trapped beneath debris at a warehouse damaged by falling debris.
A residence in Boyarka, a municipality in close proximity to Kyiv, was incinerated when the remnants of a downed drone landed on its roof.
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Andrii Korobka, 47, reported that his mother was taken to the hospital in a state of distress after sleeping next to the room where the wreckage landed.
According to Mr. Korobka, the conflict continues and anything is possible with a house, even if you believe yours will never be affected.
As missiles struck residential buildings in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, at least 15 people were injured, including two children, and at least three others were slain, according to the regional governor for the area.
A minimum of five individuals lost their lives in Dnipro, where a shopping centre, a privately owned residence, and a six-story residential building were all targeted by missiles; in Kharkiv and Lviv, at least two more were slain.
Additionally, three schools and a kindergarten were damaged in Lviv, according to the mayor of the city, Andrii Sadovyi.
Several infrastructure facilities in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia were also struck by missiles, resulting in at least one fatality, according to the interior minister.
“Millions of Ukrainians awoke to the deafening din of explosions today.” “I wish those explosion sounds in Ukraine could be heard globally,” said Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine. He also urged Kyiv’s allies to increase their support.
Russia’s Extensive Missile Assault on Ukraine
According to Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat, Russia employed highly impenetrable hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missiles, including X-22s.
“Russia launched an all-out assault using its entire arsenal,” stated President Zelenskyy via Telegram.
Initially, the president stated that approximately 110 missiles were launched, “the vast majority of which were intercepted.”
Later, Ukraine asserted that Russia had launched 36 drones and 122 missiles, of which the military had successfully intercepted 27 drones and 87 cruise missiles.
It comes days after an overnight airstrike by Ukraine destroyed 32 of 46 Iranian-made drones deployed by Russia.
The Ukrainian military claimed on Wednesday that most of the remaining drones hit the battlefield, mostly in Kherson.
The last significant assault on Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian air force, occurred in November 2022. During that period, Russia launched 96 missiles towards Ukraine. The largest of the year was 81 missiles launched on March 9, according to air force records.
Ukraine has warned for weeks that Russia may be stockpiling missiles for an air campaign against energy facilities.
Russia’s Massive Overnight Assault on Ukraine
Millions of individuals were left in the dark the year prior due to Russian attacks that crippled the power grid.
In four regions, the energy ministry reported power disruptions following the air attack.
A critical infrastructure facility in the bordering Polish region of Lviv was affected, according to a statement from the president’s office, which declined to specify which facility was affected.
“Social and critical infrastructure were the targets of the enemy,” stated Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Ukraine fought a Russian cruiser at Feodosia, Crimea, days before the assault.
It follows a $250 million (£196 million) US military aid package to Ukraine that includes air defence weaponry.
Former Joint Forces Command commander General Sir Richard Barrons described the enormous overnight assault as “relatively unusual.”
“Since the invasion began, Russia has employed approximately 11,000 missiles and drones,” he stated. Therefore, 110 is an exceptionally high quantity for a single night’s labour.
A Strategic Message and the Ongoing Battle for Ukraine
“Most likely, Russia can now produce 65 cruise missiles per month, and it imports the rest from countries such as Iran, so it was a significant undertaking.” However, the landing ship’s demise subsequently proved to be a catastrophic event for the Russian military.
General Barrons said the strikes showed Ukraine that “Russia can strike anywhere in the country and will prioritise civilian targets.”
Furthermore, he stated, this was a warning to Ukraine to concentrate their air defences on the peripheries rather than the frontlines.
Amidst the severe winter months, Russia might have intended to “make life as miserable as possible” for the Ukrainian people through these attacks.
Additionally, the airstrikes might have been a retaliatory move against the landing ship assault, he continued.
Mr. Bell stated, At the beginning of 2023, there would have been an air of anticipation. President Zelenskyy received numerous offers of weapons.
The spring attack failed to expel Russia from Ukraine by year’s end, despite his competence.
And as the year comes to a close, Russia is currently in the lead.
Mr. Bell believes that Western support is crucial for the future of Ukraine.
Furthermore, he stated, “This final aid package of £200 million has just been delivered.” In the absence of unobstructed aid from the European Union and the United States, Russia will gain confidence. Regarding the offence, President Putin will develop considerably more resilience and fortitude.
President Zelenskyy likely did not expect this ending to 2023.
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