Massive Russian missile attack raises urgency for Western aid to Ukraine

Jan 02, 2024

William Jackson Producer

By William Jackson (Producer)

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In a devastating 18-hour assault on Friday, Dec. 29, Russia launched its largest missile and drone strike on Ukraine, claiming the lives of at least 30 civilians. Ukraine reported nearly 160 drones and missiles targeting industrial and military facilities nationwide.

Ukrainian defenses, equipped with western-supplied air defense systems, successfully downed 27 Shahed-136/131 drones and 87 missiles. Officials have suggested the attack aimed to test and divert air defense from front lines.

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Despite the assault’s intensity, Russia’s current missile and drone reserves may impede its capacity for sustained large-scale strikes. Attacks persisted through the weekend, however, prompting Ukraine to urgently seek increased air defense support from Western allies.

Russia’s Defense Ministry on Friday said in the past seven days, the military launched “50 group strikes and one massive strike” with missiles and drones against Ukraine.

FILE - In this April 13, 2018 file photo, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, speaks at a briefing in Moscow. Russia’s Defense Ministry says Israeli air forces nearly shot down a passenger jetliner in Syria during a missile strike on the suburbs of Damascus. In a statement released Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, Konashenkov said the strike was carried around 2 a.m. local time Thursday. Israel did not respond to a request for comment. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) — Associated Press

Russian Defense Ministry chief spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the strikes targeted “facilities of the military-industrial complex, military air bases, arsenals and depots of munitions, weapons, sea drones and fuel.”

“All the designated targets have been hit,” he said without providing specifics.

Ukrainian officials said 41 civilians have died since the attacks began.

Analysts have emphasized the pivotal role of ongoing Western aid, stressing its necessity for Ukraine to defend its territories and counter Russia’s westward expansion.

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The offensive continued into Tuesday, Jan. 2, marking the third day of successive airstrikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Officials said the Tuesday morning assaults killed at least four people and injured almost 100 as the war approaches its two-year milestone.