In a recent speech, President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia’s latest extensive missile strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure were a direct response to Ukrainian attacks using long-range Western missiles. This marks the second major assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this month, leading to power outages affecting over 1 million citizens across various regions.
Details of the Attack
According to official sources, the overnight attack involved launching 90 missiles and 100 drones, targeting a total of 17 specific locations. Putin described these as military facilities, defence industry installations, and support systems. He emphasized, “There will always be a response from our side” in reaction to Ukraine’s actions against Russian territory.
Potential Targets in Ukraine
Putin also hinted at a strategic approach in selecting targets, which may include significant decision-making centres in Kyiv. While Ukraine’s air defence systems provide a degree of protection, Russia asserts that its newly developed Oreshnik hypersonic missile is designed to evade interception.
- Russia claims its missile production capabilities exceed those of NATO by a factor of ten.
- Military planners are reportedly assessing potential targets, including key military and industrial facilities.
The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with Ukraine reportedly firing US ATACMS missiles into Russian territories, prompting retaliatory actions. Since the initial strike on 19 November 2023, further exchanges have sparked concerns of a widening conflict.
As tensions grow, both nations appear entrenched, raising fears of prolonged military engagement in the region.