- Russia and Ukraine engage in aerial assaults
- Ukrainian drones target Russian infrastructure
- Tensions persist; conflict likely
Russia and Ukraine launched deadly aerial attacks on civilian locations in the final week of the war. However, Ukraine also targeted military and economic infrastructure deep within the Russian heartland, making its first incursion into St. Petersburg.
On Thursday in St. Petersburg, Ukrainian military intelligence reported unidentified military targets attacked by drones launched from Ukrainian territory.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Ukrainian minister of strategic industries, verified the attack at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating the assault was executed by a drone manufactured in Ukraine, traveling 1,250 kilometers (780 miles) from Ukrainian territory.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported shooting down all three drones launched that day over the Gulf of Finland, including one near an oil terminal.
Ukraine retaliated in multiple locations on Sunday, with proof of its success manifesting once more.
Novatek suspended operations at a loading terminal and plant in Ust-Luga, near St. Petersburg. Ukrainian media attributed a drone attack, leading to the decision due to a fire. Loading resumed on Wednesday, but analysts estimate weeks or months for normal plant operations, causing financial losses as lower-value gas condensate was exported instead of refined products.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that they were strengthening aerial defenses in response to the assault.
The Pantsir-S and Pantsir-S1, air defense systems, are reportedly manufactured at the Shcheglovsky Val plant in Tula, 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Moscow, which Ukraine asserts it also attacked.
Events Unfolding on Ukrainian Front
Geolocated film near the Russian-Belarusian border showed smoke from Smolensk, possibly a third strike that day.
Ukraine began developing its long-range drones around the midpoint of the previous year, conducting multiple military assaults in Crimea and the Black Sea.
Despite failing to declare credit, Ukraine is suspected of bombarding Donetsk on Sunday, killing at least 27.
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Russia targeted Ukrainian cities, with Kharkiv suffering severe damage. Tuesday saw 130 injuries and 18 deaths from Russian missiles in different locations, including eight in Kharkiv in three waves.
Ukraine defended its airspace, shooting down drones in multiple instances. Russia employed a limited quantity of missiles, probing Ukrainian defenses.
A unique attack on Tuesday saw Russia not using drones but discharging 44 missiles, of which Ukraine intercepted fifty percent.
Russia’s stubbornness hampered talks, but Ukraine’s Western allies pledged weapons, fearing a third year of war.
Medvedev Forecasts Ongoing Conflict
On the Telegram messaging application, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy leader of Russia’s powerful Security Council, stated, “The very existence of Ukraine is fatally perilous for Ukrainians.”
“The resumption of hostilities will perpetually be justified on the grounds of the presence of an independent state on historical Russian territory,” he stated, clarifying an irredentist stance towards the entirety of Ukraine.
Medvedev added, “A new conflict is certain to occur at any moment, regardless of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.” “This may occur within the next ten to fifty years.”
Sure, Europeans believed Russia’s statements.
