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Ukraine experienced a significant attack
On Friday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine experienced a significant attack from Russia, involving around 110 missiles and drones overnight. This marks one of the most extensive aerial barrages witnessed in the ongoing 22-month conflict.
During the intense 18-hour barrage, President Zelenskyy reported that a significant portion of the incoming missiles and drones were successfully intercepted. Despite this, numerous casualties occurred, and an undisclosed number of individuals were trapped beneath debris, as per Ukrainian authorities.
The targets of the attack included a maternity hospital, residential buildings, and educational institutions, intensifying the widespread damage across Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized the diverse array of weaponry employed by the Kremlin’s forces, ranging from ballistic missiles to cruise missiles.
He highlighted the wide range of weaponry deployed by the Kremlin’s forces, spanning from ballistic missiles to cruise missiles, emphasizing the gravity and multifaceted nature of the attack.
“Russia utilized a comprehensive array of its military capabilities today: employing ‘Kindzhals,’ S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. Approximately 110 missiles were directed at Ukraine, with the majority intercepted,” Zelenskyy conveyed through the social media platform X.
Despite the robust defense, the relentless assault resulted in numerous injuries, and an undisclosed number of individuals find themselves trapped beneath the debris, as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities.
Destruction has swept across Ukraine, impacting various structures such as a maternity hospital, residential buildings, and educational facilities.
Expressing his condolences for the lives lost and injuries sustained in the strikes, the official remarked on the continuous efforts of all services working tirelessly to provide necessary aid. He extended his wishes for a speedy recovery to those affected.
Affirming Ukraine’s resolve, the official stated that the country would respond to terrorist strikes and persist in the fight for the security of every city and citizen. He emphasized the determination that “Russian terror must and will lose.”
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia appeared to have deployed a substantial offensive in the recent attack, utilizing a significant portion of their capabilities. If confirmed, this assault would mark the largest aerial attack by Russian forces since their full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Providing context, the spokesperson mentioned that the previous most significant assault occurred in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles against Ukraine. The recent bombardment unfolded over approximately 18 hours, targeting six cities, including the capital Kyiv, and spanning from east to west Ukraine. This escalation comes amid challenges in the ongoing front-line fighting, hampered by winter weather and following an unsuccessful summer counteroffensive by Ukraine.
What is the reason behind these on-going invasions from Russia on Ukraine?
Putin doesn’t see Ukraine as a separate country; he believes it’s a part of Russia. He has been trying, without success, to make Ukraine follow Russia’s lead for the past 20 years. This desire is rooted in a mix of wanting to restore the old Soviet influence and feeling bitter about losing Ukraine when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991.
Putin has big plans beyond Ukraine. He wants to change how Europe’s security is set up after the Cold War. His goals include preventing NATO from expanding further east, securing strategic depth for Russia, and regaining influence in the regions around its western borders. Ukraine is crucial to achieving these objectives.
Since Putin came to power, he has two main goals: strengthen the central power in Russia after the turbulent 1990s and make Russia a powerful player globally. Russia’s leaders, often from security backgrounds, view the world with suspicion and feel insecure. The Kremlin, Russia’s political center, holds a grudge against the West, thinking it took advantage of Russia after the USSR dissolved. This has led to a sense of being under siege and a narrative of feeling wronged by the West.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy’s government was viewed as not very strong and not well-liked by the people in Ukraine. The Ukrainian public was mostly concerned about economic problems. The Russian government was worried that its influence in Ukraine was decreasing, especially as Kyiv started working more closely with the United States and its NATO allies.
In fact, Russia hinted that if Kyiv strengthened its military connections with the United States and European NATO partners, it could be a serious problem for Moscow.
