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Missiles

Ukraine Faces Largest Onslaught of Russian Missiles in Two and a Half Years

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the ongoing conflict in Ukraine enters its third year, the country has faced its most severe barrage of Russian missiles in 30 months. A coordinated attack by Russian strategic bombers and naval vessels resulted in widespread destruction, including the targeting of residential areas and critical infrastructure. The strikes, which came in response to Ukrainian troops' invasion of the Kursk region, have left the country's energy and water supplies under significant strain.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 17 Russian aircraft, including 11 Tu-95 and 6 Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, participated in the attack, alongside 4 naval vessels.
  • The strikes involved Kh-101 missiles, which caused mass power outages in several cities, including Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa.
  • A residential building in Lutsk, north-west Ukraine, was destroyed in the attacks.
  • Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national electricity transmission system operator, ordered emergency blackouts throughout the country to preserve power.
  • MiG-31K warplanes capable of firing Kinzhal strategic missiles were involved in the strikes.
  • Iranian-designed kamikaze drones were also used in the attack.
  • Some of the targeted cities include Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Kremenchuk, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk.
  • Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's office, vowed to retaliate against the strikes.

Statistics:

  • 17 Russian aircraft participated in the attack.
  • 11 Tu-95 and 6 Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were involved.
  • 4 naval vessels took part in the operation.
  • Mass power outages were triggered in at least 3 cities (Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa).
  • A residential building in Lutsk was destroyed in the strikes.
  • Ukrenergo ordered emergency blackouts throughout the country.

Sources:

  • Ukraine's air defences were sent up amidst the strikes.
  • Moscow claimed to have shot down 20 drones overnight.
  • The Engels strikes may have been intended to interrupt the Russian missile strikes.

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