Ukraine Faces Russian Missile Barrage as Temperatures Fall
Ukraine suffered its third large-scale aerial barrage of the new year, with the escalation of attacks from Kremlin forces coming at a time when harsh weather leaves millions vulnerable to power outages. Russian military jets fired Kinzhal ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at targets across the country early on Saturday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force command. Ukraine reported that 40 missiles and drones were launched nationwide, with eight missiles shot down and 20 more failing to hit their targets due to jamming efforts.
Explosions were heard in various regions, including Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Rivne in the west, as well as the Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions in central Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry stated that it had targeted Ukraine’s military-industrial complex with major hypersonic missiles and drone strikes but provided no further details.
The recent air campaign by Russia intensified just before the new year after months of relatively fewer strikes. Since then, hundreds of missiles have been fired at cities across Ukraine, causing casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. The timing of this onslaught is particularly concerning as the country experiences plummeting temperatures that place millions at risk of losing heat and electricity if power infrastructure is damaged. With temperatures as low as -18°C (-0.4°F) in eastern Ukraine, the threat to vulnerable populations is significant.
The consequences of Russia’s attacks have extended beyond Ukraine’s borders. Poland and its allies scrambled jets as Moscow launched Saturday’s attack, as debris from Russian missiles and drones has fallen on European Union territory in previous instances.
The timing of the attack is also noteworthy, occurring just hours after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid a surprise visit to Kyiv. During his visit, Sunak announced a new security commitment and pledged £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in military aid for next year. Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also signed a 10-year security cooperation agreement, highlighting Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to repel Russian forces since their invasion nearly two years ago.
In a separate development, preliminary evidence suggests that Russia may have used missiles supplied by North Korea in the recent attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. South Korea’s defense minister revealed that Pyongyang is seeking to enhance military cooperation with Russia by providing new types of tactical guided missiles in exchange for substantial aid to support its economy.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, Western nations are closely monitoring developments and providing assistance to Ukraine. France’s newly appointed foreign minister, Stephane Sejourne, is expected to visit Kyiv this weekend to assess the situation firsthand.
The situation in Ukraine remains precarious, with innocent civilians suffering the brunt of the consequences. As the international community rallies behind Ukraine, efforts to find a peaceful resolution and alleviate the hardship faced by the Ukrainian people are crucial.
