Ukraine launches largest attack of war so far, Kyiv claims
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Ukraine launched its largest attack of the war so far on Tuesday, targeting several sites deep inside Russian territory. The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the strikes, which hit ammunition depots and chemical plants across various regions, some as far as 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) from the border.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the coordinated assault was a “painful blow” to Russia’s war capabilities. The attack targeted key military infrastructure, and Ukrainian security sources revealed that explosions occurred in the Bryansk region, hitting a refinery, ammunition depots, and a chemical plant involved in the production of explosives. These strikes were part of Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s logistical and military capabilities far from the front lines.
Russia responded by claiming it had successfully intercepted and shot down several missiles supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom. The missiles involved included Atacms missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which Kyiv had used in the attack. Russian officials also announced that at least nine airports in central and western Russia temporarily halted air traffic, and schools in the southwestern Saratov region were closed as a result of the strikes.
The Ukrainian General Staff claimed that their forces also struck even deeper into Russian territory, with attacks reported in the Saratov region in the west, where two industrial plants were damaged in a “massive” drone strike. Local officials confirmed the damage, and the regional governor, Roman Busargin, reported on Telegram that schools in Saratov were closed and students were instructed to continue their studies online.
In another attack in Tula, a region to the west of Moscow, air defenses reportedly shot down 16 drones. No casualties were reported, but falling debris damaged vehicles and buildings. Further to the east, in the Tatarstan region near Kazan, a gas storage facility was hit by a drone strike, though no injuries were reported there either.
Ukraine’s military also reported that Russia launched multiple drone attacks against Ukraine, including air raid alerts in Kyiv and surrounding areas. However, Ukraine’s air defense systems managed to intercept and destroy most of these drones, although some were believed to be decoys designed to overwhelm the defenses. Ukrainian officials claimed that only one drone managed to evade interception.
The situation on the ground remains tense, with Ukraine grappling with a shortage of infantry soldiers in various areas, according to a statement from Ukraine’s General Staff. As part of a strategy to strengthen its defenses, Ukraine has decided to move more personnel from other branches of the military, including air force units, to bolster the frontline. This decision came despite concerns that it would undermine Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, especially since many of the air defense specialists are trained to operate advanced foreign-supplied equipment like Patriot systems and F-16 fighter jets.
The military reshuffling comes as Ukraine faces growing pressure from its Western allies, particularly the United States, to increase the size of its forces. U.S. officials, including President-elect Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, have urged Ukraine to lower its conscription age in order to bolster troop numbers. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back on this suggestion, arguing that the real issue is not the number of soldiers but the lack of adequate equipment for those already on the battlefield.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s military requires more weapons to equip its existing brigades, which currently number over 100 on the frontlines. Despite receiving some support from NATO countries, Ukraine has repeatedly voiced frustration at the slow pace of weapon deliveries, particularly air defense systems and missiles. The delay in getting promised military aid has been a recurring theme for Kyiv as it continues to resist Russia’s military advances.
As the war enters its second year, Ukraine is determined to keep pushing back against Russian advances, utilizing both strategic long-range attacks and the strengthening of its ground forces. The country’s military leadership is focused on weakening Russia’s war capabilities, even as it faces ongoing challenges in terms of troop numbers and equipment shortages. The outcome of these efforts could have significant implications for the trajectory of the war, particularly as the conflict shows no signs of easing in the immediate future.
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