The Russian military vows retaliation, firing additional projectiles towards Ukraine.
The Russian military stated that most of the projectiles were intercepted, with attacks targeting several cities and industrial sites. The cities of Saratov and Engels were reportedly hit, causing damage to factories. Some schools transitioned to remote learning, and several airports temporarily halted air traffic.
Ukrainian forces had previously targeted the same region last week, claiming to have struck an oil depot serving a Russian bomber airbase. The attack led to a large fire that had only been extinguished a day before the latest strikes.
Ukraine Launches Major Strikes on Russian Territory
Targeted Regions and Key Installations
Ukraine’s military announced on Tuesday that it had struck several points within Russian territory, including Bryansk, Tula, and Tatarstan. Among the targets was a chemical factory involved in producing rocket fuel and ammunition for Russia’s military. This marks an escalation since Ukraine began using US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and British Storm Shadow projectiles to target Russian sites in late November of the previous year.
Russia Responds with Retaliatory Measures
The Russian military claimed to have intercepted most of the incoming projectiles, but acknowledged damage in certain areas. The cities of Saratov and Engels were hit, causing damage to factories, and leading to temporary closures of schools and airports. Moscow also launched a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, which it says is now ready for use again.
NATO Chief’s Remarks on Ukraine’s Negotiating Power
Ahead of the strikes, NATO chief Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine is not yet in a position of strength to negotiate peace. This comes as the incoming US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to see Ukraine negotiating from a stronger position. Trump previously claimed he would resolve the conflict before taking office, but now seems to be more supportive of Ukraine.
Trump’s Evolving Position on the Conflict
Former US diplomat William Courtney noted that Trump’s stance on Ukraine appears to have shifted post-election. “President-elect Trump now seems to be more supportive of Ukraine than he was prior to the election,” Courtney said. He suggested that Ukraine’s latest attacks might be a signal to Trump that it remains capable of fighting back against Russia, potentially influencing future diplomatic efforts.
Russia Pushes Deeper into Eastern Ukraine
While the situation in western Ukraine remains volatile, Russia continues to push deeper into eastern Ukraine, making territorial gains. Meanwhile, Kyiv persists with its military offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, where this week, Ukrainian forces captured North Korean soldiers who were reportedly fighting for Moscow.
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