Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on residential and industrial facilities across Ukraine in the early hours of rush hour today, Monday, January 8: the Kiev Air Force identified dozens of supersonic Kinzhal missiles that would target strategic infrastructure. At least 4 people died and 34 were injured. The targets include the industrial areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city.
Almost two years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both parties to the conflict have significantly increased their air strikes on their respective territories, following a slowdown on the front line and insignificant territorial gains. In fact, the Russians' unsuccessful efforts to advance in various areas of the conflict continue on the field once the Ukrainian counteroffensive has ended.
These include the areas around the city of Lyman, in the Kharkiv region, as well as in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions.
The Russian rain of fire on Ukraine
Russia stepped up missile launches over the Christmas and New Year holidays, saying missile and drone launches targeted Ukrainian factories, weapons repair centers and other military facilities. However, the buildings hit and the victims are often civilians.
25/ This morning, #Russia destroyed the largest shopping center “Sun Gallery” in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the center #Ukraine. Allegedly through the expensive Kinzhal hypersonic missile. pic.twitter.com/sKnm7ynK5s
— Viktor Kovalenko (@MrKovalenko) January 8, 2024
To cope with the increase in raids, Russia has also started relying on military equipment from North Korea, according to Kiev. The numbers are frightening: In order to maintain pressure on Ukraine, a total of 125 ballistic missiles have been fired since the beginning of the year. “Over the past week, the enemy has fired about 125 missiles and more than 400 airstrikes,” said General Staff spokesman Andri Kovalov. The largest Russian airstrike so far this year occurred on January 2, when the Moscow Air Force fired about 70 cruise missiles and a dozen rockets at several Ukrainian regions.
The Russian mistake
There were also extremely serious mistakes in the attacks by Russian bombers: a Russian fighter plane accidentally dropped a bomb on the Russian-occupied city of Rubizhne in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. This was stated by Leonid Pasechnik, head of the region's pro-Russian government. The bomb, a FAB-250 with a high-powered warhead, caused no injuries, Pasechnik assured. The incident came six days after Russia accidentally dropped ammunition on the village of Petropavlovka in Russia's Belgorod region, which has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian attacks.